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LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL ULYSSES S. GEANT, 



ILLUSTRATED LIFE, CAMPAIGNS 



AND PUBLIC SERVICES OF 



LIEUT. GENERAL GRANT. 



THE 



Hero of Fort Donelson ! Vioksburg ! Chattanooga ! Petersburg ! 

and Kiolimond! Also, Captor of Ceneral Lee's! 

General Jolinston's ! and otber Eebel Armies. 



With a full history of his Life, Campaigns, and Battles, and 
his Orders, Reports, and Correspondence with the War Depart- 
ment and the President in relation to them, from the time he 
first took the field in this war, until the present time. With a 
Portrait of General Grant, and other Illustrative engravings of 
the Battle of Fort Donelson ; Battle of Chattanooga ; General 
Lee's surrender to General Grant ; the Union Army entering 
Richmond, etc., etc. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

T. B. PETEKSON & BROTHERS, 
306 CHESTNUT STREET. 

1 1^' '-c r 



h 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by 

T. B. PETERSON & BKOTUERS, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the 

Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



>'l 



CONTENTS. 



■4 « • m >■■ 



PAGE 

Birth of Lieutenant-General Grant, and his ancestors 23 

His early youth and education— Interesting anecdotes. . . 24 

He enters West Point— His term at that Institution 26 

He graduates on June 13th, 1843 27 

He enters the Army and is ordered to Missouri— He is 
ordered to the Southwest — His gallant services in 

Mexico ^^ 

His Marriage— He is ordered to the Pacific— His resigna- 
tion from the Army— Becomes a Farmer, Collector, 

and Tanner ^2 

He removes to Galena, lUinois, in 1859 33 

The Rebellion— He is appointed Mustering Officer of the 

State of Illinois 34 

Is appointed Colonel, and is ordered to Missouri— He is 
appointed Brigadier-General of Volunteers— His bold 

movement upon Paducah, Kentucky • 35 

He issues a Proclamation to the citizens of Paducah 37 

Proposed exchange of Prisoners between General Grant 

':. and Major-General Polk 38 

The Battle of Fredericktown, Missouri, and Colonel Plum- 

mer's Official Report of the same 39 

The movement down the Mississippi River — The Battle 
of Belmont, with General Grant's Official Report of the 

same 40 

General Grant's letter to his Father, with a full descrip- 
tion of the fight 42 

General McClernand's Official Report— General Grant's 

Order as read to his Troops 44 

General Grant's letter to General Polk— General Polk's 

reply to General Grant 45 

(15) 



16 CONTENTS. 

PAOB 

General Grfint assumes command of the District of Cairo, 
— Issues an Order, and appoints his Staff Officers — 
Important Rcconnoissance and Orders 46 

Preparing for an advance — The capture of Fort Henry.. 49 

The Battle of Fort Donelson, and its capture 51 

General Buckner's letter to General Grant wishing Com- 
missioners appointed to agree upon terms of Capitula- 
tion — General Grant's reply to General Buckner 54 

General Buckner's surrender to General Grant 55 

General Grant is appointed Major-General of Volunteers 
— He takes command of the District of West Tennessee, 
and issues a Congratulatory Order 56 

Military restriction in Tennessee — The Courts ordered 
closed and Martial Law declared 57 

General Grant at Fort Henry — A testimonial of regard 
presented to him in the shape of a costly sword, 
mounted with gold 58 

The Battle of Pittsburg Landing 59 

Detailed account of the Battle, by an eye-witness of it. . 60 

General Grant's Official Report of the Battle of Pittsburg 
Landing 64 

Correspondence between Generals Beauregard and Grant. 66 
Important Reconnoissances in the direction of Corinth, 
Pea Ridge, Monterey and Purdy 68 

Reorganization of the Army — General Grant second in 
command 70 

General Grant villified — An able Defence is made of him 
in the House of Representatives, at Washington, by the 
Hon. E. B. Washburne, of Illinois, on May 2d, 1862.. 70 

Skirmishing before Corinth — The evacuation of that 
stronghold 74 

Important Orders issued at Memphis — General Grant as- 
sumes command of the Department of West Tennessee 

— Important Orders issued 76 

The Battle of luka— General Grant's Official Report of it. 78 
General (^rant issues a Congratulatory Order to his vic- 
torious troops 85 

The Battle of Corinth 86 

General Grant congratulates the Armies of the West for 

their services in the great Battle of Corinth 87 

General Grant assumes command of the Department of 

Tennessee, and issues his (Jeneral Orders 88 



CONTENTS. \f 

PAO> 

Important Rcconnoissances and Skirmishes 89 

Advance of the Army — Further Reconnoissances and Skir- 
mishes, and capture of Holly Springs, Miss 91 

Preparation for the assault on Vicksburg — Changes in the 
Array Organization 93 

The Williams' Canal — The Queen of the West and India- 
nola — New " Cut OflPs" proposed — The Yazoo Pass Ex- 
pedition 96 

Reconnoissance of Steele's Bayou — Running the Gauntlet 
— Advance of the Army 98 

The Siege of Vicksburg — Greneral Grant's Official Report 
of the Siege 100 

Official Correspondence with various Generals referred to 
in General Grant's Official Report 119 

The Interview between General Grant and the Rebel Gen- 
eral Pemberton 123 

The Commander and his Men — He issues an Address to 
the Soldiers of the Army of Tennessee 125 

The Rebel loss during the Siege — A tribute from General 
Halleck 126 

President Lincoln's Congratulatory Letter to General 
Grant — How the news was received North and South.. 127 

The Fall of Port Hudson — The pursuit after the surren- 
der of Vicksburg — The reopening of the Mississippi. . . 129 

U. S. Grant is appointed a Major-General in the Regular 
Army 130 

Important Orders issued by Major-General Grant 131 

General Grant at Memphis — A Public Entertainment 
given to him by the citizens, and he is toasted 132 

He makes no speech, but Dr. Hewitt speaks for him and 

proposes a toast for General Grant 133 

General Grant's letter to the citizens of Memphis 134 

General Grant at New Orleans — He meets with a serious 
accident 135 

General Halleck refers to it — General Grant goes to Indi- 
anapolis, and is met there by the Secretary of War — 
He is appointed to the command of the Military Divi- 
sion of the Mississippi 136 

General Grant and the Secretary of War proceed to Louis- 
ville, Ky. — General Grant's Order issued at Louisville.. 137 

General Grant at Nashville and Chattanooga — His prepa- 
rations for the Campaign 138 



18 CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

His Order issued at Chattanooga in relation to Rebel 
Cavalry visiting towns, villages, and farms, and pilla- 
ging Union families 139 

The Battles near Chattanooga — General Grant's Official 
Reports, with all the Correspondence with Rebel Gen- 
erals 140 

General Meigs's OflScial Report of the Battles, as sent by 
him to the Secretary of War 153 

Tributes from General Halleck, General Scott, and Presi- 
dent Lincoln 156 

General Grant's intrepidity in Battle 158 

General Grant thanks his troops 159 

Thanks of Congress are given to General Grant, and a 
Gold Medal ordered to be struck at the Mint, and pre- 
sented to him ♦. 160 

General Grant visits Knoxville, Nashville, and the out- 
posts -. 161 

General Grant arrives at St. Louis — He is invited to and 
attends a Public Dinner given to hun — His letter to the 
Western Sanitary Commission ; 162 

General Grant goes to Nashville, via Louisville, and opens 
the Spring Campaign 163 

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant is made Lieutenant-Gen- 
eral of the Armies of the United States 165 

Hon. E. B. Washburn, of Illinois, takes care of him in a 
speech on the floor of Congress, showing what he had 
done for the country 166 

The Lieutenant-Gencral and the People 167 

The Lieutenant-General's arrival at Washington — He pro- 
ceeds to the White House and receives his Commission 
as Lieutenant-Gcneral from the hands of President Lin- 
coln, with the President's speech 168 

Lieutenant-General Grant's reply to the President — Inter- 
view between Lieutenant-General Grant and General 
Halleck 169 

"HEADQUARTERS IN THE FIELD" — General 
Burnsido's speech at Chicago about General Grant 170 

The Lieutenant-Ccnerars Order on assuming command 
of all the " Armies of the United States" 171 

"ON TO RICHMOND" 172 

Lieutenant-General (^rant and Major-General Meade — A 
Reorganization o*f the Army of the Potomac 174 

The Grand Campaign of the Spring of 1864 175 



CONTENTS. 19 

PAGE 

Battles of " The Wilderness" 177 

The Bloody contest of Friday, May 6th, 1864 180 

Grant out of " the Wilderness" — Saturday and Sunday's 

Operations 183 

Monday's Operations — Death of General Sedgwick 187 

Tuesday's great battle — First day at Spottsylvania Court 

House 188 

Wednesday's Operations — Second day's battle at Spottsyl- 
vania 191 

General Grant telegraphs to Secretary Stanton, " / pro- 
pose to fight it out on this line if it takes all Summer.'^ 

— Thursday's battle — Hancock's splendid victory 192 

First Bulletin from the Secretary of War 194 

Second Bulletin — General Meade's address to the Army of 

the Potomac 195 

Third Bulletin — Despatches from General Butler 196 

Fourth Bulletin — Despatches from Major-General Sheri- 
dan — His*Great Cavalry Raid 197 

Fifth Bulletin— Death of General J. E. B. Stuart. Sixth 
Bulletin — Retreat of General Lee, and General Grant's 
pursuit 198 

Seventh Bulletin — The latest news from the Front — Fri- 
day's Battle, May 13th— Burnside's Fight with A. P. 
Hill 199 

Saturday, May 14th, 1864, and what happened 202 

General Grant flanks General Lee at Spottsylvania Court 
House, and General Sheridan takes possession of Hano- 
ver Ferry and Hanovertown, and the Army crosses the 
Pamunkey river 204 

The Great Battle Month 207 

June, 1864— Battle of Cold Harbor 208 

A new movement made by General Grant 209 

The whole Army crosses to the South side of the James 

river 210 

Attack on Petersburg 211 

Invasion of Maryland — Breckinridge defeated before 

Washington 212 

Burnside's Mine exploded before Petersburg 213 

General Wm. Tecumseh Sherman in the West — Capture 

of Atlanta 216 

General Grant's plans being developed — Early defeated by 

Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley 217 



20 CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

The close of the year 1864, and where the various Armies 

and Generals were 219 

Commencement of the New Year, 1865 220 

The attack on Fort Steadman 221 

President Lincoln goes to City Point, and visits the battle- 
field of March 2'5th, 1865 222 

President Lincoln and Lieutenant-General Grant hold a 
Council of War with Major-Generals Meade, Sherman, 
Sheridan, and Ord — The Grand Campaign — Battles of 

Wednesday, March 29th, 1865 223 

Doings of Thursday, March 30th 225 

The Battles of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — First Bul- 
letin from the Seat of War — Telegraph from President 
Lincoln 226 

Second Bulletin— Third Bulletin— Fourth Bulletin 227 

Fifth Bulletin— Sixth Bulletin— Victory— Twelve thou 
sand prisoners and fifty guns captured 228 

Despatches from President Lincoln to the Secretary of 
War — The decisive Battle of the War — Sunday, April 
2d, 1865 229 

Battle of Five Forks— Saturday night, April 1st, 1865 230 

Sunday, April 2d, from four to five o'clock, A. M 232 

Seven o'clock, A. M. — The Rebel Line carried 234 

Eight o'clock, A. M. — General Grant rides along the lines 

toward Petersburg 236 

Nine o'clock, A. M. — The Sixth Corps advances on the 
double-quick, captures rebel guns, and turns them at 
once on the enemy 237 

Ten o'clock, A. M 240 

Eleven o'clock, A. M 241 

Twelve o'clock, A. M. — Lee in .retreat across the Appo- 
mattox at two o'clock 242 

General CoUis heads the charge on the right 243 

Six o'clock, P. M. — Evacuation of Petersburg — Transac- 
tions on the James river 245 

The North side of the James 246 

Capture of Richmond by General Weitzel 247 

The pursuit of General hee — General Grant's Despatch to 
the Secretary of War 248 

The enemy's retreat a complete rout 249 

Tuesday, the 4th of April — Lee retreating, and arrival 
at Amelia Court House — The Union forces arrive at 
Burkesville 251 



CON"TENTS. 21 

PAGE 

Wednesday, April the 5th— Fight at Fame's Cross Roads 

—Sheridan's despatch to General Grant 252 

Letter sent by Sheridan to General Grant— The enemy 

pursued by General Sheridan 253 

General Meade directs the Second and Sixth Corps 254 

The Battle of Deatonsville 255 

The enemy retreats towards Painesville, and finds our Cav- 
alry there before him 256 

Surrender of General Lee— Correspondence between Gen- 
eral Grant and General Lee— Thanks to General Grant 

and the Army - 256 

Salutes ordered by the Secretary of War— The Corres- 
pondence—General Grant to General Lee 257 

General Lee to General Grant— General Grant to General 

Lee — General Lee to General Grant 258 

General Grant to General Lee— General Lee to General 

Grant 259 

General Grant to General Lee— The Terms of the Sur- 
render 260 

The Surrender of General Lee and the Army of Northern 

Virginia to General Grant— General Lee's entire losses. 261 
The Parole "given by General Lee and all other rebel offi- 
cers—The Obligations of Officers for sub-divisions under 

their command 262 

General Grant's movements after the Surrender— Order 

from the Secretary of War stopping the Draft 263 

General Grant goes North to visit his Family 264 

Grant leaves Washington for Raleigh, North Carolina 264 

General Grant returns to Washington, from Raleigh 265 

Important Order of the War Department reducing the 

Expenses of the Military Establishment 265 

The Rebel forces in Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louis- 
iana surrender to General Canby 267 

General Sheridan goes to New Orleans — Surrender of 

Kirby Smith 267 

Close of the War 267 

Presentation to General Grant of a Mansion in Philadel- 
phia o,. 268 

Character and Abilities of Lieutenant-General Grant 268 



ILLUSTRATED LIFE, CAMPAIGNS, 

AND PUBLIC SERVICES OF 

LIEUT. GENERAL U. S. GRANT. 



Lieutenant- General Ulysses Simpson Grant was 
bom at Point Pleasant, Clermont county, Ohio, a small 
village on the Ohio river, about twenty-five miles above 
Cincinnati, on the twenty-seventh day of April, 1822. His 
ancestors were Scotch ; two of whom, brothers, emigrated 
to this country in the early part of the sixteenth century, 
one settling in Connecticut and the other in New Jersey, 
and from the former sprung the family of which Ulysses 
is such an illustrious scion. His father, Jesse R. Grant, 
was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in the 
year 1794, and his mother was a Miss Hannah Simpson, 
daughter of John Simpson, of Montgomery county, in the 
same State. In 1818, she removed with her father's family 
to Clermont county, Ohio, where, in June, 1821, she was 
married to Mr. Grant, who had removed to that State 
some years before, and was engaged in carrying on a tan- 
nery. In 1823, the year after their first child was born, 
the young couple removed to Georgetown, the capital of 
Brown county, the 'county adjoining to the eastward the 
one in which they had resided. 

23 



24 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT- GENERAL GRANT. 

HIS EARLY YOUTH AND EDUCATION- 
INTERESTING ANECDOTES. 

Here Ulysses obtained his early education, and although, 
as we are told, he was not noted during his years of schooling 
for any particular acuteness, he evinced that determination 
and perseverance for which he has been remarkable since 
he attained the age of manhood. The pecuniary condition 
of his father necessarily limited the son's opportunities 
for acquiring knowledge, and attendance at the daily ses- 
sions of the winter term at an inferior school was the 
extent of the facilities offered to the young student. 

Numerous anecdotes are related of him during his boy- 
hood, and from the number we give the following : 

On one occasion his teacher had given him a task to 
perform, in mastering which he experienced more than 
usual difficulty. A schoolmate, noticing his trouble, re- 
marked : "You can't master that task." The persevering 
lad replied that he did not know the meaning of the word 
" can't," and would refer to the dictionary and ascertain 
its signification. Not finding it in the book he referred 
the matter to the teacher, who explained the origin of the 
word, and was so much pleased with his pupil's action in 
the matter, that he related the anecdote to the entire 
school, and impressed upon them the importance of accom- 
plishing whatever they might undertake, and always to 
remember that there was no such word as canH. 

It is also stated that when he was about twelve years 
of age, his father sent him to purchase ahorse from a man 
named Ralston, telling him to offer the owner at first 
fifty dollars. If he wouldn't take that, to offer fiftj-five 
dollars, and to go on as high as sixty dollars, if no less 
would make the purchase. Ulysses started off with these 
instructions fully impressed upon his mind. He called 
upon Mr. Ralston and told him he wished to buy the horse. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 25 

" How much did voiir father tell you to give for him ?" 
was the very natural inquiry from the owner of the steed. 

" Why," said Ulysses, " he told me to offer you fifty 
dollars; and if that wouldn't do to give you fifty-five 
dollars ; and if you wouldn't take less than sixty dollars, to 
give you that." 

Of course sixty dollars was the price. 

" But," added the boy, " although father said sixty, I 
have made up my mind to give you only fifty, so you may 
take that or nothing." 

Of course he secured the animal. 

About the same period of his life he had among his 
school-fellows his own cousin, whose parents had settled 
in Canada, and who had become imbued with the strong 
prejudices of the people of that province against the 
Americans. This cousin, whose name was John, had 
the same feelings as his parents, although he was being 
educated in America. 

On one occasion the cousins were engaged in a dis- 
cussion on the subject of love of country and the duty 
owed to rulers. 

" Ulysses," said John, " you talk a great deal about 
Washington. He was nothing better than a Rebel. He 
fought against his king." 

**Now look here, Jack," said Ulysses, "you must stop 
that, or I'll give you a thrashing. Mother says I must 
not fight, but must forgive my enemies. You may abuse 
me as much as you please ; but if you abuse Washington 
I'll ofif coat and let into you if you were ten times my 
cousin, and then mother may afterwards whip me as much 
as she likes." 

Jack stood his ground, and so did his cousin, until they 
came to hard blows, when the former got the worst of it. 

When Ulysses reached home his face betrayed evidence 
of the struggle. 



26 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

"So you have been fighting," said the mother. 

Ulysses explained the whole of the circumstances, with- 
out addition or detraction, but notwithstanding the ex- 
planation, his mother began making preparations to give 
him the promised castigation, when the father interposed 
and saved him. 

" Wife," said the old gentleman, " he does not deserve 
to be punished. He has only stood up for his country, 
and the boy who will fight in defence of the honor and 
integrity of the name of Washington will rise, if God 
spares his life, to be a man, and a Christian, too." 

Some years afterwards the cousins met, and John re- 
minded him of the affair, when he laughingly replied : 

"Yes ! I remember the event, and under the same cir- 
cumstances would do it again." 

ENTERS WEST POINT— HIS TERM AT THAT 
INSTITUTION. 

When he was sevonteen years of age, at the suggestion 
of his father, he determined if possible to enter West 
Point, and Senator Morris of Ohio was applied to, to 
secure the position. Mr. Morris replied that he had dis- 
posed of his right to recommend a cadet, but that there 
was a vacancy in the district occasioned by the failure of 
a young man to pass an examination, and advised him to 
v/rite to Representative Hon. Thomas L. Hamer on the 
subject. Mr. Grant did so, and was successful in his ap- 
plication, and on the first of July, 1839, he entered the 
Academy in a class containing about one hundred cadets. 
After his admission he applied himself closely to his 
studies, more especially to the mathematical branches, and 
rarely failed at the different examinations, severe and in- 
tricate as many of them were, to respond promptly to the 
questions propounded. 

While in the fourth class he gave an illustration of cour- 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 27 

age which is still remembered by many of his fellow- 
cadets. As is nearly always the case in educational insti- 
tutions, the new pupils at the West Point Academy were 
made the subjects of the sport and jest of those who had 
passed through the same ordeal and had been advanced to 
higher classes. Ulysses of course was subjected to his 
share of the torment, but after forbearance had ceased to 
be a virtue, he determined to take such a decisive stand, 
that he would no longer be a victim of their practical 
jokes. His company on one occasion being out on mock 
parade, a repetition of one of these jokes was attempted, 
when stepping out from the ranks the provoked youth 
requested the captain to forget his rank for a few moments, 
and stand up fair and square to see which was the best 
man of the two. The captain accepted the offer, and in 
a few moments discovered that in a pugilistic encounter 
he was no match for Ulysses. The victor then turned to 
the lieutenant, and asked him to revenge the captain, but 
after a short contest he too was compelled to succumb to 
his opponent's skill and strength. 

"Who is next?" said young Grant. ** I wish peace, 
and if necessary will fight the entire company, one by one, 
to gain it. I have no ill-feeling against any one, but I 
will have peace in the future. " 

No one was willing to be punished, and one and all 
rushed forward and took him by the hand. From that 
time he was known as " Company Grant." 

During the year 1840 he advanced into the third class, 
ranking as corporal in the cadet battalion ; in 1841 he 
entered the second class, ranking as sergeant ; and in 
1842 he entered the first and concluding class, and be- 
coming a commissioned officer of the Academy, by his 
gentlemanly conduct and efficiency endeared himself to 
his companions and to the officers of the institution. 

On the thirtieth of June, 1843, he graduated as number 



28 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

twenty-one in a class of thirty-nine, among whom were 
the following officers who have become prominent during 
the rebellion: 

Major-General William B. Franklin, of Pennsylvania. 

Colonel William P. Reynolds, of Ohio, aide-de-camp on 
the staff of General Fremont, when commander of the 
Mountain Department. 

Brigadier-General Isaac F. Quinby, of New Jersey, first 
colonel of the Thirteenth New York two-years Volunteers. 

Major-General John J. Peck, of New York, commander 
of the District of North Carolina. 

Major-General Joseph Jones Reynolds, of Indiana, 
recently chief of staff of Generals Rosecrans and Thomas 
as commanders of the Army of the Cumberland, and late 
commanding in the South West. 

Colonel James A. Hardie, aide-de-camp to the com- 
mander of the Army of the Potomac, and Assistant Adju- 
tant-General. 

Colonel Henry F. Clarke, recently chief commissary of 
the Army of the Potomac. 

Samuel G. French, of New Jersey, a Major-General in 
the rebel ranks. 

Major-General Christopher Colon Augur, of New York, 
late commander of the Department of Washington. 

Franklin Gardner, a native of New York, a Major- 
General of the rebel army, who was captured at Port 
Hudson. 

Major-General Charles S. Hamilton, of New York, for- 
merly of the Army of the Potomac, and afterwards of the 
Tennessee. 

Major-General Frederick Steele, of New York, com- 
mander of the Army of Arkansas. 

Brigadier-General Rufus Ingalls, of Maine, Quarter- 
master-General of the Army of the Potomac. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 29 

Brigadier-General Henry M. Judah, a native of Mary- 
land and appointed from New York. 

Colonel Joseph H. Potter, of New Hampshire. 

Major Frederick T. Dent, of the Fourth United States 
Infantry. 

ENTERS THE ARMY AND IS ORDERED TO 
MISSOURI. 

On the day subsequent to his graduating, the first of 
July, 1843, he entered the United States Army as a Brevet 
Second-Lieutenant of infantry, and his name was entered 
upon the roll of the Fourth regiment of Regular infantry, 
then stationed in Missouri and Missouri Territory, with 
its head-quarters at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, 
and the officers and men of which were engaged in the 
arduous and dangerous duty of protecting the settlers and 
emigrants from the incursions of the numerous Indian 
tribes then residing in that section of country. 

HE IS ORDERED TO THE SOUTHWEST— HIS 
GALLANT SERVICES IN MEXICO. 

In the summer of 1844 he went with his regiment to 
Natchitoches, in the western part of Louisiana, it having 
been ordered thither to form a part of the command of 
General Zachary Taylor, then organizing in anticipation 
of trouble with Mexico. In the following year he was 
ordered to Corpus Christi, Texas, and on the thirtieth of 
September was made a full Second-Lieutenant, and as- 
signed to the Seventh infantry, but a request being made 
to the War Department that he should be permitted to 
remain with his old comrades, he in the following Novem- 
ber received a commission as full Second-Lieutenant of 
the Fourth. Hostilities commenced soon after between 
the United States and Mexico, and in the battles of Palo 
Alto and Resaca de la Palma he behaved with great gal- 
lantry, while at the siege of Monterey he performed effi- 
2 



30 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

cient service. When General Scott had succeeded in 
eflfecting a landing above Vera Cruz, the Fourth, with 
other regiments of General Taylor's army, was brought 
over the Rio Grande to co-operate in the siege. Lieutenant 
Grant participated in the operations incident to the invest- 
ment, and shared in the honors and praise which became 
the meed of all who were present throughout the siege, 
and at the surrender on the twenty-ninth of March, 184*7. 
In the following month (April) he was appointed Regi- 
mental-Quartermaster, an important position at that time 
when the soldiers for whom he had to provide w^ere march- 
ing through a hostile country, but the duties of which he 
faithfully performed until the occupation of the City of 
Mexico. Occupying this position relieved him of the 
necessity of being exposed to the dangers of actual con- 
flict, but such was the bravery of the young officer that, 
during the campaign which followed, we hear of him as a 
prominent participant in almost every engagement. 

At the battle of Molino del Rey his conduct was so 
distinguished that he was appointed a Brevet First-Lieu- 
tenant to date from the day of the battle, but the honor 
was declined, only however to be increased in its import- 
ance by a commission being made out as full First-Lieu- 
tenant. At Chapultepec, and in fact in every engagement 
which took place during the remainder of the campaign, 
he equally distinguished himself 

Captain Horace Brooks, of the Second artillery, in his 
report of the battle of Chapultepec, says : 

" I succeeded in reaching the fort with a few men. Here 
Lieutenant U. S. Grant, and a few move men of the Fourth 
infantry, found me, and, by a joint movement, after an ob- 
stinate resistance, a strong field-work was carried, and the 
enemy's right was completely turned." 

The report of Major Francis Lee, commanding the 
Fourth infantry, at the same battle, says : 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENEKAL GKANT. 31 

"At the first barrier the enemy was in strong force, which 
rendered it necessary to advance with caution. This was 
done, aud when the head of the battalion was within short 
musket range of the barrier, Lieutenant Grant, Fourth infantry, 
and Captain Brooks, Second artillery, with a few men of their 
respective regiments, by a handsome movement to the left, 
turned the right flank of the enemy, and the barrier was carried. 
►Second-Lieutenant Grant behaved with distinguished gallantry 
on the 13th aud 14th." 

Brevet-Colonel John Garland, commanding the First 
brigade, in his report of the battle of Chapultepec, says : 

" The rear of the enemy had made a stand behind a breast- 
work, from which they were driven by detachments of the 
Second artillery, under Captain Brooks, and the Fourth 
infantry, under Lieutenant Grant, supported by other regiments of 
the division, after a short but sharp conflict. I recognized the 
command as it came up, mounted a howitzer on the top of a 
convent, which, under the direction of Lieutenant Grant, 
Quartermaster of the Fourth infantry, and Lieutenant Ledrum, 
Third artillery, annoyed the enemy considerably. I must not 
omit to call attention to Lieutenant Grant, Fourth infantry, 
who acquitted himself most nobly upon several occasions under 
ray own observation." 

This particular mention was made the more compli- 
mentary by the fact that, exclusive of the officers of his 
own staff, Colonel Garland names but one other officer 
besides Lieutenant Grant out of his whole brigade. 

General Worth's report, September sixteenth, 1847, also 
speaks highly of Lieutenant Grant. 

His bravery was not without its reward, and he subse- 
quently received the brevet of Captain, the appointment 
to date from September thirteenth, 1847, the day on which 
the battle was fought. 

Among other gallant officers who were connected with 
the Fourth regiment at the time of which we write, were 
General George Archibald McCall, the late commander 
of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, Brigadier-General 
Benjamin Alvord, Major-General C. C. Augur, Brigadier- 
General II. M. Judah, the late Brigadier-General Alex- 
ander Hays, and Brigadier-General David A. Russell. 



32 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

After the conclusion of the war, the Fourth regiment 
returned to New York, and the different companies com- 
posing it were stationed among the various forts and de- 
fences on the Northern borders of New York and Michigan, 
having their head-quarters at Detroit and Sackett's Harbor. 

HIS MARRIAGE-HE IS ORDERED TO THE 

PACIFIC. 

Soon after his return he married Miss Julia Dent, a 
daughter of Frederick Dent, Esq., of Gravois, near St. 
Louis, and a lady of refinement and education. In 1852, 
the Fourth was ordered to the Pacific, and the battalion 
to which Lieutenant Grant was attached had its head- 
quarters at Fort Dallas, Oregon Territory. In August, 
1853, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, and w^as 
subsequently stationed at a fort nearly four hundred miles 
in the interior of California. 

HIS RESIGISTATION FROM THE ARMY— BE- 
COMES FARMER, COLLECTOR AND TANNER. 

Captain Grant was some time afterwards ordered to the 
Mississippi, but on the thirty-first of July, 1854, he re- 
signed from the service and took up his residence with his 
father-in-law, near St. Louis, a portion of the time being 
engaged in the real estate and money-collecting business. 
A writer thus describes his mode of life at that time : 

" General Grant occupied a little farm to the southwest of St. 
Louis, whence he was in the habit of cutting the wood and 
drawing it to Carondelet, and selling it in the market there. 
Many of his wood purchasers are now calling to mind that they 
had a cord of wood delivered in person by the great General 
Grant. When he came into the wood market he was usually 
drr;=ped in au old felt hat, with a blouse coat, and his pants 
tucked in the tops of his boots. In truth, he bore the appear- 
ance of a sturdy, honost woodsman. This was his winter's 
work. In the summer he turned a collector of debts ; but for 
this he was not qualified. He had a noble and truthful soul ; so 
when he was told that the debtor had no money, he believed him., 
and would not trouble the debtor again. One of the leading 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT- GENERAL GRANT. 33 

merchants of St. Louis mentioned this circumstance to me. 
From all I can learn of his history here, he was honest, truthful, 
indefatigable — always at work at something ; but he did not pos- 
sess the knack of making money. He was honorable, for he 
always repaid borrowed money. His habits of life were hardy, 
inexpensive, and simple." 

In 1859 he removed to Galena, Illinois, where he be- 
came engaged in partnership with his father, in the leather 
trade. Devoting himself to his new business with the 
same attention and devotion which had marked his con- 
nection with the military service, the firm soon acquired 
a reputation second to none in the country, and such was 
the character of the two partners, that their recommenda- 
tion was considered a certain guarantee of the superiority 
of the article. 

In this connection it will not be out of place to mention 
the following anecdote : — A party of Illinois politicians 
visited the head-quarters of General Grant when they 
were located near Yicksburg, and endeavored to obtain 
his views on the political questions of the day. One of 
their number was especially earnest in his efforts, and 
while in the midst of what he considered a very persuasive 
speech, was interrupted by General Grant, who quietly 
remarked : 

" There is no use of talking politics to me. I know 
nothing about that subject, and, furthermore, I don't know 
of any person among my acquaintances who does. But," 
continued he, " there is one subject with which I am per- 
fectly acquainted ; talk of that, and T am your man." 

" What is that. General ?" asked the politicians in sur- 
prise. 

" Tanning leather," replied General Grant. 

Another anecdote is also given, for the truth of which 
we cannot vouch : — An infamous proposal of some kind 
was made on one occasion by a person to General Grant. 
The General becoming much annoyed, hastened the de- 



34 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

parture of the offender by the application of his boot. 
An oflacer who witnessed the punishment, remarked that 
he did not think the man was much injured, when the re- 
ply was made that there could be no doubt of the effective- 
ness of the assault, as " that boot never fails under such 
circumstances, for the leather came from Grant's store in 
Galena." 

THE REBELLION— HE IS APPOINTED MUSTER- 
ING OEEICER OF ILLINOIS. 

When in April, 1861, the telegraphic wires transmitted 
to the loyal people of the country the astounding intelli- 
gence that the traitors had opened their batteries upon 
the little garrison at Fort Sumter, Ulysses S. Grant, con- 
sidering the claims of the Government paramount to those 
of family or business, raised and organized a company, and 
went with it to Springfield, where it was mustered into 
service. Governor Yates, of Illinois, soon afterwards, 
with a view of availing himself of the superior ability and 
military knowledge of the subject of our sketch, gave him 
the responsible appointment of mustering officer of the 
troops from that commonwealth, at the same time giving 
him the position of aid on his staff. After a brief period 
of arduous duty, he requested the Governor to give him 
an appointment in one of the three years' regiments then 
being organized, so that he might be enabled to carry 
out his earnest and patriotic desire to wield his sword 
upon the field of battle. Many of the officers who were 
leading the enemy, had been, until the breaking out of 
hostilities, warm friends of " U. S.," but when they united 
their fortunes with those of the seceding States, he blotted 
the past, with all its pleasant associations, from his mem- 
ory, and regarding them only as enemies of his country, 
expressed his eagerness and his wish either to lead a band 
of patriots to the field to punish them for their treason, or, 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 35 

if the Executive thought best, to accompany his fellow- 
patriots in a more humble and less responsible capacity.' 

IS APPOIITTED COLOK^EL, AND IS ORDEKED 
TO MISSOURI. 

His application was responded to favorably, and in the 
middle of June, 1861, be resigned his position as muster- 
ing oflieer, and was appointed Colonel of the Twenty-first 
regiment of Illinois volunteers, organized at Mattoon, in 
that ^tate. Colonel Grant immediately proceeded to 
Mattoon and removed his encampment to Caseyville, at 
which place for four weeks he superintended the organiza- 
tion and drill of his command. At the end of that time it 
was ordered into Missouri, and marching his men one 
hundred miles of the distance, he arrived at the point at 
which he had been instructed to report, and his command 
was detailed for guard duty along the line of the Hannibal 
and Hudson Railroad, in the northern part of the State. 
The military knowledge and experience of Colonel Grant 
were here first brought into requisition, and for the pur- 
pose of affording them all the scope they merited, he was 
made an Acting Brigadier-General, and placed in com- 
mand of all the troops in that part of Missouri, then known 
as the "District of North Missouri." In the following 
August his regiment was ordered to Pilot Knob, and from 
thence to Ironton, and shortly afterwards to Marble Creek, 
and other important points, all of which he placed in a 
condition of defence. 

COLONEL GRANT APPOINTED BRIGADIER- 
GENERAL— HIS BOLD MOVEMENT UPON PA- 
DUCAH. 

In the same month Colonel Grant was detached from 
his regiment and appointed a Brigadier-General of "Volun- 
teers, with rank and commission to date from the seven- 
teenth of May, 1861, an exalted position for w^hich he was 



36 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

admirably adapted, and in every way competent. The 
wisdom of the Administration in making the selection has 
been proven too frequently since that period to require 
more than passing notice at this time. 

The following officers received commissions as Briga- 
diers on the same date : 

Samuel P. Heintzleman, Andrew Porter, William B. 
Franklin, and George A. McCall, of Pennsylvania ; Eras- 
mus D. Keyes, Darius K Couch, and Frederick W. Lan- 
der, of Massachusetts ; Philip Kearney and William R. 
Montgomery, of New Jersey ; William T. Sherman, J. 
D. Cox, and Robert C. Schenck, of Ohio ; John Pope, S. 
A. Hurlbut, B. M. Prentiss, and John A. McClernand, 
of Illinois ; A. S. Williams and I. B. Richardson, of 
Michigan ; James Cooper, of Maryland ; J. J. Reynolds 
and Don Carlos Buell, of Indiana ; Samuel R. Curtis, of 
Iowa ; Benjamin F. Kelly, of Virginia ; Franz Sigel, of Mis- 
souri ; Fitz John Porter and Charles P. Stone, of the Dis- 
trict of Columbia ; Thomas W. Sherman, of Rhode Island ; 
Kufus King and Charles S. Hamilton, of Wisconsin ; 
John W. Phelps, of Vermont, and Joseph Hooker, of 
California. 

The large majority of these officers still occupy respon- 
sible positions in the Union army, but Ulysses S. Grant 
has, by his repeated victories, become the recipient of 
honors more numerous and exalted than any of his col- 
leagues of 1861, until at length, in March, 1864, he attained 
the highest position that the government of the United 
States can bestow upon a military hero. 

Soon after his appointment, General Grant was placed in 
command of a District composed of Southeast Missouri and 
Southern Illinois, with his head-quarters at Cairo, a point 
which previous to the war was regarded as an insignificant 
and unprepossessing western town, but which, from its 
location at the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 37 

has become during the rebellion one of the most important 
positions in the loyal States. The enemy, at the time ho 
assumed command, were actively engaged in fortifying 
Columbus, Hickman, and other points admirably situated 
for offensive operations on the Mississippi river ; and as 
they appeared determined to extend their occupation to 
all the equally advantageous sites on that stream, and also 
on the Ohio river. General Grant made a strategic move, 
and on the sixth of September occupied Paducah, at the 
mouth of the Tennessee river, having arrived there before 
the rebels could secure possession. When his troops en- 
tered the town, the emblem of treason was floating from 
numerous flag-staffs, and the people openly expressed their 
disloyal sentiments. The railroad depot, post-office, tele- 
graph office, and other public buildings were seized, and 
the following proclamation was issued : 

" Paducah, Ky., September Qth, 1861. 
"To the Citizens of Paducah: 

" I have come among you not as an enemy, but as your fellow- 
citizen. Not to maltreat or annoy you, but to respect and en- 
force the rights of all loyal citizens. An enemy, in rebellion 
against our common Government, has taken possession of, and 
planted its guns on the soil of Kentucky, and fired upon you. 
Columbus and Hickman are in his hands. He is moving upon 
your city. I am here to defend you against this enemy, to assist 
the authority and sovereignty of your Government, I have 
nothing to do with opinions, and shall deal only with armed re- 
bellion and its aiders and abettors. You can pursue your usual 
avocations without fear. The strong arm of the Government is 
here to protect its friends and punish its enemies. Whenever it 
is manifest that you are able to defend yourselves and maintain 
the authority of the Government and protect the rights of loyal 
citizens, 1 shall withdraw the forces under my command. 

" U. S. Grant, Brigadier- General Commanding." 

This movement was one of the boldest which had up to 
that date been made in the West. The troops under Gen- 
eral Grant, consisting of two Illinois regiments, with four 
pieces of artillery, left Cairo under the protection of two 
gunboats. The disembarkation at Paducah was rapidly 



38 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

accomplished, and notwithstanding the offensive cheers 
for Jefferson Davis and other leading traitors, and the va- 
rious insulting remarks which greeted the troops in the 
highways and byways, they marched steadily forward, 
perfecting the occupation, and seizing immense quantities 
of stores which were awaiting shipment to the South. A 
small force was then sent down the railroad some seven 
or eight miles, and destroyed an important bridge over 
which until that moment the enemy had expected to be 
transported within a few hours. The gunboat Conestoga 
was in the meantime sent up the Tennessee river and cap- 
tured three steamers. General Paine was placed in com- 
mand, and General Grant returned to Cairo. On the 
twenty-fifth of September, 1861, Smithland, Kentucky, at 
the mouth of the Cumberland, was also occupied, thus 
blockading two important streams, and securing two almost 
indispensable bases of operations for future movements. 

PROPOSED EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. 

In the following October, the following correspondence 
passed between General Grant and Major-General Polk, 
formerly a much respected Bishop of the Episcopal Church, 
but subsequently one of the most bitter and unscrupulous 
officers of the rebel service : 

" Head-quarters, Fir.st Division, 
" Western Department. 

"7b the Commanding Officer at Cairo and Blind's Point: 

"I have in my camp a number of prisoners of the Federal 
army, and am informed there are prisoners belonging to the 
Missouri State troops in yours. I propose an exchange of these 
prisoners, and for that purpose send Captain Polk, of the Ar- 
tillery, and Lieutenant Smith, of the Infantry, both of the 
Confederate States Army, with a flag of truce, to deliver to you 
this communication, and to know your pleasure in regard to my 
proposition. 

" The principles recognized in the exchange of prisoners ef- 
fected on the third of September, between Brigadier-General 
Pillow, of the Confederate Army, and Colonel Wallace, of the 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT- GENERAL GRANT. 39 

United States Army, are those I propose as the basis of that 
now contemplated. 

" Kespectfully, your obedient servant, 

" L. Polk, 
' ^ Major- General Goramandingr 

To this communication General Grant forwarded the 
following reply : 

" Hrad-quarteks, Department 
" Southeast Missouri, Cairo, Oct. lUh, 1861. 
" General : — Yours of this date is just received. In regard 
to an exchange of prisoners, as proposed, I can of my own ac- 
cordance make none. I recognize no ' Southern Confederacy' 
myself, but will communicate with higher authorities for their 
views. Should I not be sustained, I will find means of com- 
^ municating with you. 

" Respectfully, your obedient servant, 

" U. S. Grant, 
^^ Brigadier- General Commanding. 
" To Major-General Polk, Columbus, Ky." 

THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKTOWN, MISSOURI. 

About the middle of October, 1861, General Grant ordered 
Colonel Plummer, of the Eleventh Missouri volunteers, to 
proceed with a portion of the troops stationed at Cape 
Girardeau in pursuit of JefT. Thompson, who was then re- 
ported to be at Fredericktown. On the eighteenth, that 
officer left his head-quarters with about fifteen hundred 
men, cavalry, infantry and artillery, and on the twenty- 
first arrived at Fredericktown, where he found Colonel 
Carlin's command, and augmenting his strength by acces- 
sions from the ranks of his brother commander, he advanced 
about a mile beyond the town, and discovered the rebels 
drawn up in line. He immediately attacked him, and 
after a severe engagement of nearly three hours, compelled 
him to retire. On the following day he pursued Thomp- 
son twenty-two miles, but finding it impossible to overtake 
him, returned to Cape Girardeau, taking with him a num- 
ber of prisoners and small arms, and one small piece of^ 
artillery captured upon the field. 



40 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

Upon receiving Colonel Plummer's report of the engage- 
ment, General Grant addressed the following letter to tho 
victor : 

"Head-quarters, District Southeast Missouri, 
" Cairo, October 21th, 1861. 
" Colonel J. B. Plummer, Commanding United States Forces, 
''Cape Girardeau, Mo.: 
" Colonel : — Your report of the expedition under your com. 
mand is received. I congratulate you, and the officers and 
soldiers of the expedition, upon the result. 

" But little doubt can be entertained of the success of our 
arms, when not opposed by superior numbers ; and in the action 
of Fredericktown they have given proof of courage and de- 
termination, which shows that they would undergo any fatigue 
or hardships to meet our rebellious brethren, even at great odds. 
'' Our loss, small as it was, is to be regretted ; but the friends 
and relatives of those who fell can congratulate themselves in 
the midst of their affliction, that they fell in maintaining the 
cause of constitutional freedom and the integrity of a flag 
erected in the first instance at a sacrifice of many of the noblest 
lives that ever graced a nation. 

" In conclusion, say to your troops they have done nobly. It 
goes to prove that much more may be expected of them when 
the country and our great cause calls upon them. 

" Yours, etc., " U. S. Grant, 

"Brigadier- General Commanding. ^^ 

THE MOVEMENT DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI 
RIVER— THE BATTLE OF BELMONT. 

Early in November, 1861, General Grant received orders 
from the commanding-general of the Department, to make a 
formidable movement down the Mississippi towards Bel- 
mont and Columbus. The order was obeyed, but unfor- 
tunately with an unsuccessful result, the intelligence of 
which, when received in the loyal States, disheartened the 
timid, and, until the circumstances were fully known, pro- 
voked much invidious comment as to the ability and skill 
of the leader under whose command the repulsed troops 
had attacked the rebel works. The following official re- 
port, after the affair had been thoroughly investigated, 
was accepted as the true and correct account of the pro- 
ceedings upon that eventful day : 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 41 

" Cairo, November I2tk, 1861. 

" On the evening of the sixth inst, I left this place with two 
thousand eight hundred and fifty men of all arms, to make a re- 
connoissance toward Columbus. The object of the expedition 
was to prevent the enemy from sending out reinforcements to 
Price's army in Missouri, and also from cutting off columns 
that I had been directed to send oat from this place and Cape 
Girardeau, in pursuit of Jeff. Thompson. Knowing that 
Columbus was strongly garrisoned, I asked General Smith, 
commanding at Paducah, Ky., to make demonstrations in the 
same direction. He did so by ordering a small force to May- 
field and another in the direction of Columbus, not to approach 
nearer, however, than twelve or fifteen miles. I also sent a 
small force on the Kentucky side with orders not to approach 
nearer than Ellicott's Mills, some twelve miles from Columbus. 
The expedition under my immediate command was stopped about 
nine miles below here on the Kentucky shore, and remained 
until morning. All this served to distract the enemy, and led 
him to think he was to be attacked in his strongly fortified posi- 
tion. At daylight we proceeded down the river to a point just 
out of range of the rebel guns, and debarked on the Missouri shore. 
From here the troops were marched by flank for about one mile 
toward Belmont, and then drawn up in line of battle, a battalion 
also having been left as a reserve near the transports. Two com- 
panies from each regiment, five skeletons in number, were then 
thrown out as skirmishers, to ascertain the position of the enemy. 
It was but a few moments before we met him, and a general en- 
gagement ensued. 

" The balance of my forces, with the exception of the reserve, 
was then thrown forward — all as skirmishers — and the enemy 
driven foot by foot, and from tree to tree, back to their encamp- 
ment on the river bank, a distance of two miles. Here they 
had strengthened their position by felling the timber for several 
hundred yards around their camp, and making a sort of abatis. 
Our men charged through this, driving the enemy over the 
bank into their transports iu quick time, leaving us in posses- 
sion of every thing not exceedingly portable. Belmont is on 
low ground, and every foot of it is commanded by the guns on 
the opposite shore, and of course could not be held for a single 
hour after the enemy became aware of the withdrawal of their 
troops. Having no wagons, I could not move any of the cap- 
tured property ; consequently, I gave orders for its destruction. 
Their tents, blankets, etc., were set on fire, and we retired, taking 
their artillery with us, two pieces being drawn by hand ; and one 
other, drawn by an inefficient team, we spiked and left in the 
woods, bringing the only two to this place. Before getting 
fairly under way the enemy made his appearance again, and at- 
tempted to surround us. Our troops were not in the least dis- 
couraged, but charged on the enemy again and defeated him. 



42 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

Our loss was about eighty-four killed, one hundred and fifty 
wounded — many of them slightly — and about an equal number 
missing. Nearly all the missing were from the Iowa regiment, 
•Nvho behaved with great gallantry, and suffered more severely 
than any other of the troops. 

'• I have not been able to put in the reports from sub-com- 
mands, but will forward them as soon as received. All the 
troops behaved with much gallantry, much of which is attrib- 
uted to the coolness and presence of mind of the officers, par- 
ticularly the colonels. General McClernand was in the midst of 
danger throughout the engagement, and displayed both coolness 
and judgment. His horse was three times shot. My horse was 
also shot under me. To my staff. Captains Rawlins, Logan, and 
Hillyer, volunteer aids, and to Captains Hatch and Graham, I 
am much indebted for the assistance they gave. Colonel Web- 
ster, acting chief engineer, also accompanied me, andj displayed 
highly soldier-like qualities. Colonel Dougherty, of the Twenty- 
second Illinois Volunteers, was three times wounded and taken 
prisoner. 

" The Seventh Iowa regiment had their Lieutenant-Colonel 
killed, and the Colonel and Major were severely wounded. The 
reports to be forwarded will detail more fully the particulars of 
our loss. Surgeon Brinton was in the field during the entire 
engagement, and displayed great ability and efficiency in pro- 
viding for the wounded and organizing the medical corps. 

" The gunboats Tyler and Lexington, Captains Walker and 
Stemble, U. S. N., commanding, convoyed the expedition and 
rendered most efficient service. Immediately upon our landing 
they engaged the enemy's batteries, and protected our trans- 
ports throughout. 

" I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

*' U. S. Grant, 
'' Brigadier- Genei'al Commanding y 

In a private letter written by General Grant to his 
father on the day after the battle, was the following inter- 
esting description of the fight : 

" Day before yesterday I left Cairo with about three thousand 
men, in five steamers, convoyed by two gunboats, and proceeded 
down the river to within about twelve miles of Columbus. The 
next morning the boats were dropped down just out of range of 
the enemy's batteries, and the troops debarked. During this 
operation our gunboats exercised the rebels by throwing shells 
into their camps and batteries. When all ready, we proceeded 
about one mile toward Belmont, opposite to Columbus, when I 
formed the troops into line, and ordered two companies from each 
regiment to deploy as skirmishers, and push on through the 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT- GEXERAL GRANT. 43 

woods and discover the position of the enemy. They had gone 
but a little way when they were fired upon, and the ball may be 
said to have fairly opened. 

" The whole command, with the exception of a small reserve, 
was then deployed in like manner and ordered forward. The 
order was obeyed with great alacrity* the men all showing great 
courage. I can say with great gratification that every colonel, 
without a single exception, set an example to their commands 
that inspired a confidence that will always insure victory when 
there is the slightest possibility of gaining one. I feel truly 
proud to command such men. 

" From here we fought our way from tree to tree through the 
woods to Belmont, about two and a half miles, the enemy con- 
testing every foot of ground. Here the enemy had strengthened 
their position by felling the trees for two or three hundred yards 
and sharpening their limbs, making a sort of abatis. Our men 
charged through, making the victory complete, giving us pos- 
session of their camp and garrison equipage, artillery, and 
every thing else. 

" We got a great many prisoners. The majority, however, 
succeeded in getting aboard their steamers and pushing across 
the river. We burned every thing possible and started back, 
having accomplished all that we went for, and even more. Bel- 
mont is entirely covered by the batteries from Columbus, and 
is worth nothing as a military position — cannot be held without 
Columbus. 

** The object of the expedition was to prevent the enemy from 
sending a force into Missouri to cut off troops I had sent there 
for a special purpose, and to prevent reinforcing Price. 

" Besides being well fortified at Columbus, their numbers far 
exceeded ours, and it would have been folly to have attacked 
them. We found the Confederates well armed and brave. On 
our return, stragglers, that had been left in our rear (now front) 
fired into us, and more recrossed the river and gave us battle for 
a full milo, and afterward at the boats when we were embarking. 

"There was no hasty retreating or running away. Taking 
into account the object of the expedition, the victory was con° 
plete. It has given us confidence in the officers and 'men of this 
command, that will enable us to lead them in any future engage- 
ment without fear of the result. General McClernand (who,t-ty 
the way, acted with great coolness and courage throughout, and 
proved that he is a soldier as well as a statesman) and myself, 
each had our horses shot under us. Most of the field ofiicers 
met with the same loss, besides nearly one-third of Ihcm being 
themselves killed or wounded. As near as I can ascertain, oiu* 
loss was about two hundred and fifty killed, wounded and missing.'' 

General McClernand, who accompanied the expedition, 
and was subsequently complimented for his valuable ser- 



44 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

vices, in his official report, after referring to an important 
disposition which had boon made of a portion of the troops, 
says : 

" We again opened a deadly fire from both infantry and artil- 
lery, and after a desperate resistance drove the enemy back a 
third time, forcing them to seek cover among thick woods and 
brush, protected by the heavy guns at Columbus. 

" In this struggle, while leading the charge, I received a ball 
in one of my holsters, which failed of harm by striking a pistol. 
Here Colonels Fouke and Logan urged on their men by the most 
energetic appeals ; here Captain Dresser's horse was shot under 
him, while Captain Schwartz's horse was twice wounded ; here 
the projectiles from the enemy's heavy guns at Columbus, and 
their artillery at Belmont crashed through the woods over and 
among us ; here, again, all my staff who were with me displayed 
the greatest intrepidity and activity; and here, too, many of our 
officers were killed or wounded ; nor shall I omit to add that 
this gallant conduct was stimulated by your presence and in- 
spired by your example. Here your horse was killed un- 
der you." 

And yet amid all these scenes of danger and carnage 
the noble commander rode from point to point, placing his 
troops in the most advisable positions and cheering them 
on to the assault, with as much coolness and self-possession 
as if not a single deadly missile was ploughing the earth 
within a hundred miles of his horse's feet. And when 
the apparent success was suddenly changed into actual 
disaster he, by his example, nerved his men to deeds which 
have been rarely exceeded even in the hour of victory. 

Returning to Cairo, the following order was read to the 

troops : 

" Head-quarters, District S. E. Mo. 
" Cairo, November 8th, 1861. 

".The General commanding this military district returns his 
thanks to the troops under his command at the battle of Bel- 
mont on yesterday. 

"It has been his fortune to have been in all the battles 
fought in Mexico by Generals Scott and Taylor save Buena 
Yista, and he never saw one more hotly contested or where 
troops behaved with more gallantry. 

" Such courage will insure victory wherever our flag may be 
borne and protected by such a class of men. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 45 

" To the brave who fell the sympathy of the country is due, 
and will be manifested in a manner unmistakable. 

" U. S. Grant, 
^'Brigadier- Gen eral Commanding. ^^ 

On the same day, a flag of truce was sent to Columbus, 
Ky., under charge of Major Webster, Chief of the En- 
gineer Corps, to make arrangements respecting the 
wounded. The following is the correspondence which 
passed on the occasion : 

GENERAL GRANT TO GENERAL POLK. 

"Head-quarters, District S. E. Missouri, 
" Cairo, November 8th, 1861. 

" General Commanding Forces, Columbus, Ky. : 

" Sir : — In the skirmish of yesterday, in which both parties 
behaved with so much gallantry, many unfortunate men were 
left upon the field of battle whom it was impossible to provide 
for. I now send, in the interest of humanity, to have these un- 
fortunates collected and medical attendance secured them. 
Major Webster, Chief of Engineers, district Southeast Mis- 
souri, goes bearer of this, and will express to you my views 
upon the course that should be pursued under the circumstances 
such as those of yesterday. 

" I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

" U. S. Grant, 
"■Brigadier- General Commanding.^* 

GENERAL POLK TO GENERAL GRANT. 

" Head-quarters, First Division, Western Department, 
" Columbus, Ky., November 8th, 1861. 

" Brigadier-General U. S. Grant, U. S. A. : 

" I have received your note in regard to your wounded and 
killed on the battle-field after yesterday's engagement. The 
lateness of the hour at which my troops returned to the princi- 
pal scene of action prevented my bestowing the care upon your 
wounded which I desired. 

'* Such attentions as were practicable were shown them, and 
measures were taken at an early hour this morning to have them 
all brought into my hospitals. Provision also was made for 
taking care of your dead. The permission you desire under 
your flag of truce to aid in attention to your wounded, is granted 
with pleasure, under such restrictions as the exigencies of our 
service may require. In your note you say nothing of an ex- 
change of prisoners, though you send me a private message aa 
to your willingness to release certain wounded men and some 
invalids taken from our list of sick in camps, and expect in re- 
3 



46 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

turn a corresponding number ot your wounded prisoners. My 
own feelings would prompt me to waive again the unimportant 
affectation of declining to recognize these States as belligerents, 
in the interests of humanity, but my (iuvernment requires^ all 
prisoners to be placed at the disposal of the Secretary of War 
I have despatched him to know if the case of the severely 
wounded held by me would form an exception. 
" I have the honor to be your obedient servant, 

'* L. Polk, 
''Major-General C. S. A." 

ASSUMES COMMAND OF THE DISTRICT OF 
CAIRO— IMPORTANT RECONNOISSANCE. 

On the twentieth of December, 1861, General Grant 

having been appointed by General Ilalleck, who had been 

placed in charo:e of the Department of the Missouri, to 

take command of the District of Cairo, which was at the 

same time greatly extended, the following order was 

issued : 

"Head-quarters, District of Cairo, 
" Cairo, December 2lst, 1861. 

" In pursuance of Special Order No. 78, from Head-Quarters, 
Department of the Missouri, the name of this Military District 
will be known as the ' District of Cairo,' and will include all the 
southern part of Illinois, that part of Kentucky west of the 
Cumberland river, and the southern counties of Missouri, south 
of Cape Girardeau. 

"The force at Shawneetown will be under the immediate 
command of Colonel T. H. Cavenaugh, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, 
who will consolidate the reports of his command weekly, and 
forward to these head-quarters. 

" All troops that are, or may be, stationed along the banks of 
the Ohio, on both sides of the river, east of Caledonia, and to 
the mouth of the Cumberland, will be included in the command, 
having head-quarters at Padncah, Ky. 

" Brigadier-General E. A, Paine is assigned to the command 
of the forces at Bird's Point, Missouri. 

"All supplies of ordnance, Quarter-Master and Commissary 
stores, will be obtained through the chiefs of each of these de- 
partments, at district head-quarters, where not otherwise pro- 
vided for. 

" For the information of that portion of this command, 
newly attached, the following list of Staff OEQcers is published : 

" Captain John A. Rawlings, Assistant Adjutant-General. 

" Captain Clark B. Lagow, Aide-de-Camp. 



LIFE OF LIEUTE^^ANT-GENERAL GRANT. 47 

" Captain Wm. S Hillyer, Aide-de-Camp. 

" Major John Rigs:in, Jr., Volunteer Aide-de-Oamp. 

"Captain 11. B. Hatcii, Assistant Quarter-Master U. S. 
Volunteers, Chief Quarter-Master. 

*' Captain W. W. Leland, A. C. S. U. S. Volunteers, Chief 
Commissary. 

" Captain W. F. Brinck, Ordnance Officer. 

" Surgeon James Simons, U. S. A., Medical Director. 

" Assistant Surgeon, J. P. Taggert, U. S. A., Medical Pur- 
veyor. 

" Major I. N. Cook, Pay-Master. 

" Colonel J. D. Webster, Chief of Staff, and Chief of En- 
gineers. 

" By order : " U. S. Grant, 

''Brigadier- General Commanding.'' 

At the same time arrangements were made for active 
operations in the District, and on the tenth of the follow- 
ing month, General McClernand with about five thousand 
men, and under the convoy of the gunboats Essex and 
St. Louis, left Cairo and steamed down the Mississippi. 
They were supplied with five days cooked rations, and 
landed on the Kentucky shore about eight miles below 
Cairo. On the next morning, three rebel gunboats attacked 
the two Union steamers, but after an engagement of an 
hour were compelled to retire behind their batteries at 
Columbus. 

On the same day, General Grant issued the following 
order to General Paine commanding at Bird's Point : 

" Head-Quarters, Cairo, January 11th, 1862. 
" Brigadier-General Paine, Bird's Point : 

" I understand that four of our pickets were shot this morning. 
If this is so, and appearances indicate that the assassins were 
citizens, not regularly organized in the rebel army, the whole 
country should be cleared out for six miles around, and word 
given that all citizens, making their appearance within those 
limits, are liable to be shot. 

•' To execute this, patrols should be sent out in all directions, 
and bring into camp, at Bird's Point, all citizens, together with 
their subsistence, and require them to remain, under penalty of 
death and destruction of their property, until properly relieved. 

" Let no harm befall these people, if they quietly submit, 



48 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

but bring them iu and place them in camp below the breastwork, 
and have them properly guarded. 

" The intention is not to make political prisoners of these 
people, but to cut off a dangerous class of spies. 

" This applies to all classes and conditions, age and sex. If, 
however, women and children prefer other protection than we 
can afford them, they may be allowed to retire beyond the limits 
indicated — not to return until authorized. 

" By order of " U. S. Grant, 

'^^ Brigadier- General Commanding J' 

On the thirteenth of January, 1862, General Grant hav- 

icg perfected all his plans, issued an order to his troops to 

the following effect : 

*' Head-Quartkrs, District of Cairo, 
" Cairo, January \Wi, 1862. 

" During the absence of the expedition, now starting upon soil 
occupied almost solely by the rebel army, and when it is a fair 
inference that every stranger met is an enemy, the following 
orders will be observed : 

" Troops, on marching, will be kept in the ranks : company 
oflBcers being held strictly accountable for all stragglers from 
their companies. No firing will be allowed in camp or on the 
march, not strictly required in the performance of duty. While 
in camp, no privilege will be granted to officers or soldiers to 
leave their regimental grounds, and all violations of this order 
must be promptly and summarily punished. 

" Disgrace having been brought upon our brave fellows by the 
bad conduct of some of their members, showing on all occasions, 
•when marching through territory occupied by sympathizers of 
the enemy, a total disregard of the rights of citizens, and being 
guilty of wanton destruction of private property, the general com- 
manding desires and intends to enforce a change in this respect. 

"The interpreting of confiscation acts by troops themselves 
has a demoralizing effect — weakens them in exact proportion to 
the demoralization, and makes open and armed enemies of many 
who, from opposite treatment, would become friends, or, at the 
most, non-combatants. 

"It is ordered, therefore, that the severest punishment be 
inflicted upon every soldier who is guilty of taking, or destroying, 
private property ; and any commissioned officer, guilty of like 
conduct, or of countenancing it, shall be deprived of his sword 
and expelled from the camp, not to be permitted to return. 

" On the march, cavalry advance guards will be thrown out, 
also flank guards of cavalry or infantry, when practicable. A 
rear-guard of infantry will be required to see that no teams, 
baggage, or disabled soldiers are left behind. It will be the 
duty of company commanders to see that rolls of their company 



LIFE OF LIEUTEXANT-GENERAL GRANT. 49 

are called immediately upon going into camp each day, and 
every member accounted for. 

" By order ; _ " U. S. Grant, 

'■'Brigadier- General Commanding J' 

On the following morning, General McClernand's forces 
moved from their encampment in the direction of Bland- 
ville, Kentucky ; General Paine moved from Bird's Point, 
and General C. F. Smith also took up the line of march. 
The three columns consisted in the aggregate of four 
regiments and two companies of cavalry, nineteen regi- 
ments of infantry, and seven batteries of artillery, and 
were commanded by able and experienced officers, who 
with their men had implicit confidence in the superior skill 
and wisdom of their commander, who personally superin- 
tended every movement of his troops. The advance 
however was not intended, as was generally supposed, for 
an aggressive movement, but merely as a reconnoissance for 
the purpose of ascertaining the exact position and numbers 
of the enemy, and having, after a long march in the most 
inclement weather, accomplished all the desired objects, 
the command after about a week's absence returned to their 
former posts. 

PREPAHING FOR AN ADVANCE— THE CAP- 
TURE OP FORT HENRY. 

On the twentieth of January, 1862, General Grant, for the 
purpose of supplying the gunboats which had been built 
on the Western waters with sailors, instructed the com- 
manders of regiments in his district to report the number 
of river and seafaring men in their ranks who would 
accept transfer for service on the water, such volunteers 
to be discharged at the end of one year ; and on the first 
of February the following was announced : 

" Head-Quarters, District of Cairo, 
" Cairo, February 1st, 1862. 
" For temporary government, the forces of this military dis- 
trict will be divided and commanded as follows, to wit : 



50 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT- GENERAL GRANT. 

" The First Bii.2:ade will consist o( the Eighth, Eighteenth, 
Twenty-seventh, Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-first Regi- 
ments of Illinois Yolunteers. Schwartz's and Dresser's batteries, 
and Stewart's, Dollin's, O'Haruett's, and Carmichael's cavalry, 
Colonel R. J. Ogiesby, senior colonel of the brigade, com- 
manding. 

" The Second Brigade will consist of the Eleventh, Twentieth, 
Forty-fifih, and Forty-eighth Illinois infantry. Fourth Illinois 
cavalry, Taylor's and McAllister's artillery. (The latter with 
four siege-guns.) Colonel W. H. L. Wallace commanding. 

"The First and Second Brigades will constitute the First 
Division of the District of Cairo, and will be commanded by 
Brigadier-General John A. McClernand. 

" The Third Brigade will consist of the Eighth Wisconsin, 
Fort3'-ninth Illinois. Twenty-fifth Indiana, four companies of 
urtillery, and such troops as arc yet to arrive. Brigadier-General 
E. A. Paine commanding. 

" The Fourth Brigade will be composed of the Tenth, Six- 
teenth, Twenty-second, and Thirty-third Illinois, and the Tenth 
Iowa infantry; Houtaling's battery of Light Artillery, four 
companies of the Seventh and two companies of the First 
Illinois cavalry. Colonel Morgan commanding. 

" General E. A. Paine is assigned to the command of Cairo 
and Mound City, and Colonel Morgan to the command at Bird's 
Point. 

"By order of "U.S.Grant, 

''Brigadier- General Commanding. 

"John A. Rawlins, A. A. 6^." 

These troops did not include those under the command 
of Generals Lewis Wallace and C. F. Smith, then pre- 
paring for service at Smithland and Paducah. Having 
secured his rear from surprise, he started with the first 
division of the district of Cairo under General McCler- 
nand on an expedition against Fort Henry on the Ten- 
nessee river, near the boundary-line between Kentucky and 
Tennessee. Arriving near that work, he on the fifth of 
February, 1862, issued his orders prescribing the mode of 
attack. The gunboats, seven in number, had also arrived, 
and three of them were ordered by General Grant to proceed 
cautiously towards the fort, shelling the woods on either 
bank to ascertain if any hidden batteries had been erected. 
The transports followed, and the troops were landed at a 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 51 

convenient point about four miles from the fort. A judi- 
cious arrangement was made that night of the camp-fires 
for the purpose of deceiving the enemy as to the strength 
of the force they w^ould be called upon on the next morn- 
ing to encounter, and it was doubtless owing in a great 
measure to the impression thus created that the rebels 
made such a hasty flight after the surrender. 

Towards noon of the sixth, the troops commenced their 
advance upon the work, but before they could reach it the 
gunboats had opened their fire, and after an engagement 
of little more than an hour compelled the enemy to lower 
his colors and surrender to Flag-Ofificer Foote, who soon 
afterwards handed over the captured fortification with its 
garrison, including General Lloyd Tilghman, and its guns, to 
General Grant. The rebel commander in his official report 
of the surrender acknowledged the courtesies and/consid- 
eration shown by General Grant, and Commander Foote, 
and the officers under their command ; and on the fifteenth 
of February the President of the United States officially 
returned thanks to General Grant and Flag-Officer Foote 
for their gallant achievements at Fort Henry. 

THE BATTLE AND CAPTURE OF FORT 
DONELSON. 

General Grant's plans did not permit him to tarry after 
the reduction of Fort Henry, and sending back to Cairo 
for reinforcements he prepared for further aggressive move- 
ments. 

On the eleventh of February he issued an order for the 
advance of the troops in the direction of Fort Donelson, 
a formidable work on the Cumberland river, and the army 
under Generals McClernand, C. F. Smith, and Lew Wal- 
lace, having taken up the line of march, their commander 
followed on the twelfth. At noon on that day, the troops 
moving in two columns, the advance of General McCler- 



52 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

nand's command drove in the enemy's pickets, and from 
that time until dark, while the various assigned positions 
were being occupied, there was occasional skirmishing. 
But little was done on the thirteenth on account of the 
non-arrival of the reinforcements and of the gunboats 
which were to take part in fhe assault. The Carondelet, 
however, on that day attacked the fort and continued her 
fire for about two hours, but was then compelled to with- 
draw to repair damages. At two o'clock in the afternoon 
of the fourteenth, the expected gunboats and reinforcements 
having arrived, six of the arrived vessels moved up the 
river, receiving the fire of the lower batteries of the enemy. 

At seven minutes to three, the St. Louis opened her fire, 
which was kept up with great spirit during an hour and a 
half. The iron-clad boats took a position within three 
hundred yards of the batteries, silenced the water-battery, 
and drove its gunners from their posts ; but the enemy's 
shot having entered the pilot-house of the St. Louis and 
shattered her wheel, and the other vessels having also suf- 
fered severely, Flag-Officer Foote ordered the squadron to 
drop down the river, and the action ceased. 

Soon after daybreak, on the morning of the fifteenth, the 
extreme right of the Union line, near the river, below the 
Fort, was attacked by a heavy body of the enemy's forces. 
The Eighth and Forty-first Illinois regiments first received 
the shock ; and they maintained their position with great 
coolness, until reinforcements joined the assailants, when 
two of our batteries were also attacked and captured. 
The Eighteenth, Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-first 
Illinois, were quickly moved to the support of their as- 
sociates ; and after a desperate struggle, in which both 
sides displayed great daring, all but three of the pieces of 
the captured batteries were recovered by our troops. At 
length, overpowered by numbers and without ammunition, 
they were compelled to fall back ; and the enemy, with 



LIFE OF LIEUTEN'AXT-GEXERAL GRANT. 53 

cheers, pressed forward and outflanked them on the right, 
when four Union regiments, under Colonel Cruft, were 
brought up. An unfortunate mistake, on the part of this 
reinforcement, led one regiment to pour a volley into the 
ranks of another, causing terrible loss, and increasing the 
confusion, of which the enemy promptly availed himself 
by pressing forward with greater energy than before. 

A few minutes later, Colonel Wallace's brigade came 
up, but so completely had the enemy brought up his 
forces, that they were compelled to fall back with heavy 
loss ; notwithstanding, in another part of the line, another 
strong body of the enemy was driven back. 

General Grant saw the emergency, and he hastened to 
meet it. General Smith was ordered to make a strong 
assault on the left of the line, and to carry the position at 
all hazards ; while preparations were also made to renew 
the operations on the right, with a view to recover the 
position which had been lost in the morning. 

General Smith immediately ordered the Third brigade 
of his division — embracing the Seventh, Fiftieth, and 
Fifty-second Illinois, the Twelfth Iowa, and Thirteenth 
Missouri regiments — to move against one portion of the 
enemy's lines; while, with the Fourth brigade— embra- 
cing the Second, Seventh, and Fourteenth Iowa, and the 
Twenty-fifth Indiana regiments — he, in person, dashed 
against another part of the works. 

The Second Iowa regiment led the advance, followed 
by the Fifty-second Indiana, and the other regiments of 
the brigade, while the sharpshooters were deplo3^ed on 
either flank as skirmishers. The column moved forward 
without firing a gun, and charged into the work, driving 
the enemy before it at the point of the bayonet, and oc- 
cupying the position. 

The successful result of this desperate struggle inspired 
the troops, and in every portion of the line the wildest 
enthusiasm prevailed. 



54 LIFE OF LIEUTENAXT-GEXERAL GRANT. 

Soon afterwards Colonel Smith, commanding the Fifth 
brigade, moved the Eighth Missouri and Eleventh In- 
diana regiments against the position, on the extreme right 
of the line, from which the Union troops had been driven, 
at an earlier hour of the day ; and part of the First brigade, 
commanded by Colonel Cruft, was moved to his support. 
The assault was made in two columns ; the hill was car- 
ried by storm ; and the enemy was driven into his works. 

No further movements were made during the fifteenth ; 
both armies occupying their respective positions and pre- 
paring for a renewal of the engagement on the morning 
of the sixteenth. At daybreak, however, the enemy dis- 
played a white flag, and proposals for a surrender were 
tendered and accepted. 

The following are copies of the documents which passed 
between the two commanding-generals previous to the 
acceptance of the surrender : 

GENERAL BUCKNER TO GENERAL GRANT. 

" Hp:ad-qu.'^rters, Fort Donelson, Feb. IQth, 1862. 

" Sir : — In consideration of all the circumstances governing 
the present situation of affairs at this station, I propose to the 
commanding officer of the Federal forces the appointment of 
commissioners to agree upon terms of capitulation of the forces 
and fort under my command, and in that view suggest an armis- 
tice until twelve o'clock to-day. 

" I am sir very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

" S. B. BUCKNEK", 

" Brigadier- General, C. S. A. 

" To Brigadier-General Grant, commanding United States 
forces near Fort Donelson." 

GENERAL GRANT TO GENERAL BUCKNER. 

General Grant replied as follows : 

" Head -QUARTERS, Army in the Field, 
"Camp near Uonelson, Feb. lUh, 1862. 

''To General S. B. Buckner, Confederate Army: 

" Yours of this date, proposing an armistice and appointment 
of commissioners to settle terms of capitulation, is just received. 
Nu terms other than an unconditional and immediate surrender 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GEXERAL GRANT. 55 

can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your 
works. 

"I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

" U. S. Grant, 
''Brigadier-General, U. S. A., Commanding.'' 

GENERAL BUCKNER TO GENERAL GRANT. 

The determined answer of General Grant convinced the 
rebel commander that his opponent was not a man with 
whom he could trifle, and he immediately penned the fol- 
lowing reply : 

" Head-quarters, Dover, Tenn., Feb. 16th, 1862. 
"To Brigadier-General U. S. Grant, U. S. A.: 

" Sir : — The distribution of the forces under my command, 
incident to an unexpected change of commanders, and the over- 
whelming force under your command, compel me, notwithstand- 
ing the brilliant success of the Confederate arms yesterday, to ac- 
cept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms which you propose. 
" I am, sir, your very obedient servant, 

" S. B. BUCKNER, 

''Brigadier -General, C. S. A." 

The battle of Fort Donelson was one of the most des- 
perate character, but throughout the bloody conflict not a 
man in the Union ranks had a doubt as to the glorious 
result which would ultimately attend their efforts. " Even 
the sight of the savage wounds," says a participant, " or 
the still more sickening one of the ghastly faces of the 
dead, seemed to have no effect upon our men. It did not 
unnerve or unman them. They fought on just as tran- 
quilly as though the hideous angel of death had been a 
thousand leagues away. When a man was wounded his 
comrades would help him to the rear, and then return 
instantly to their position, and resume their fighting as if 
nothing had happened." Our loss during the engagement 
was four hundred and forty-six killed, seventeen hundred 
and thirty -five wounded, and one hundred and fifty pris- 
oners ; while that of the rebels was two hundred and 
, thirty-one killed, one thousand and seven wounded, and 



56 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

nearly fourteen tliousand prisoners, including General 
Buckner. They also lost forty-eight field-pieces, twenty 
thousand stand of arms, seventeen heavy guns, three 
thousand horses and a large quantity of commissary stores. 
On the day after the surrender, the number of prisoners 
was increased by the capture of two Tennessee regiments, 
which were allowed to march into the fort ignorant of the 
capitulation, with their colors flying and bands playing. 
This brilliant victory was attended with the most glorious 
results to the cause of the Union, and town after town, 
with the defensive works surrounding each, was evacuated, 
occupation being no longer possible after the fall of Forts 
Henry and Donelson ; and the flag of freedom once more 
floated in parts of Kentucky and Tennessee, where for 
many months it had been supplanted by the emblem of 
tyranny and oppression. 

HE IS APPOINTED MAJOR-GENERAL OP 
VOLUNTEERS. 

As a reward for the skilful manner in which he had 
performed the duties of this brief but successful campaign, 
General Grant was promoted to the rank of Major-General 
of Volunteers, to date from the sixteenth of February, 1862, 
the day of the surrender of Fort Donelson. 

ft/ 

HE TAKES COMMAND OP THE DISTRICT OP 
WEST TENNESSEE — ISSUES A CONGRATU- 
LATORY ORDER. 

On the fourteenth of February, 1862, General Halleck 
issued an order creating the new district of West Ten- 
nessee, embracing the country between the Tennessee and 
Mississippi rivers to the Mississippi State-line, and Cairo ; 
and on the seventeenth its commanding general thus con- 
gratulated his troops : 

" Head-Quarters, District of West Tennessee, 
" Fort Donelson, Fehruary 17//i, 1862. 

*' The general commauding takes great pleasure in congratu- 



LIFE OF LIEUTEXAXT-GEXERAL GRANT. 5 



n 



lating the troops of this command for the triumph over rebellion, 
gained by their valor, on the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth 
instant. 

" For four successive nights, without shelter, during the most 
inclement weather known in this latitude, they faced an enemy in 
large force, in a position chosen by himself. Though strongly forti- 
fied by nature, all the additional safeguards suggested by science 
were added. Without a murmur this was borne, prepared at 
all times to receive an attack, and, with continuous skirmishing 
by day, resulting ultimately in forcing the enemy to surrender 
without conditions. 

"The victory achieved is not only great in the effect it will 
have in breaking down rebellion, but has secured the greatest 
number of prisoners of war ever taken in any battle on this 
continent. 

" Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in capitals on the 
map of our United Country, and the men who fought the battle 
will live in the memory of a grateful people. 

" By order : " U- S. Grant, 

'^' Brigadier- General Commanding." 

MILITARY RESTRICTIONS IN TENNESSEE, 

By the middle of February, the forces of General Grant 
were again advancing into the rebel territory. The courts 
of Tennessee were ordered to be closed, and martial law 
was declared extended over the western part of the State, 
but at the same time it was declared that whenever a 
number of citizens should return to their allegiance, sufiB- 
cient to maintain law and order, the military restriction 
would be removed. 

On the twenty -third of February, 1862, the following 

order was published : 

"Head-Quarters, Department op Missouri, 
" St. Louis, February IM, 1862." 

" The major-general commanding this department desires to 
impress upon all officers the importance of preserving good 
order and discipline among these troops and the armies of the 
West, during their advance into Tennessee and the Southern 
States. 

" Let us show to our fellow-citizens of these States, that we 
come merely to crush out this rebellion, and to restore to them 
peace and the benefits of the Constitution and the Union, of 
which they have been deprived by selfish and unprincipled 



58 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

loaders. They have been told that we come to oppress and 
plunder. By our acts we will undeceive them. We will prove 
to them that we come to restore, not violate, the Oonstitutiou 
and the laws. In restoring to them the g'lorious flag of the 
Union, we will assure them that they shall enjoy, under its folds, 
the same protection of life and property as in former days. 

" ' Soldiers ! Let no excesses on your part tarnish the glory of 
our arms !' The orders heretofore issued from this department 
in regard to pillaging, marauding, and the destruction of private 
property, and the stealing and concealment of slaves, must be 
strictly enforced. It does not belong to the military to decide 
upon the relation of master and slave. Such questions must be 
settled by the civil courts. No fugitive slave will, therefore, be 
admitted within our lines or camps, except when especially 
ordered by the general commanding. Women and children, 
merchants, farmers, and all persons not in arms, are to be 
regarded as non-combatants, and are not to be molested, either 
in their persons or property. If, however, they assist and aid the 
enemy, they become belligerents, and will be treated as such. 
As they violate the laws of war, they will be made to suffer the 
penalties of such violation. 

" Military stores and public property of the enemy must be 
surrendered ; and any attempt to conceal such property by 
fraudulent transfer or otherwise will be punished. But no 
private proverty will be touched, unless by order of the general 
commanding. 

" Whenever it becomes necessary, forced contributions for 
supplies and subsistence for our troops will be made. Such 
levies will be made as light as possible, and be so distributed as 
to produce no distress among the people. All property so taken 
must be receipted fully and accepted for as heretofore directed. 

*' These orders will be read at the head of every regiment, and 
all officers are commanded strictly to enforce them. 

" By command of ''Major-General Halleck. 

" W. H. McLean, Adjutant- General. 

" By order of '^Major-General U. S. Grant. 

"J. A. Rawlins, A. A. Gr 

GENERAL GRANT AT FORT HENRY— A TES- 
TIMONIAL OF REGARD. 

After the occupation of Nashville in the latter part of 
February, 1862, General Grant removed his head-quarters 
to Fort Henry, where for some time he was engaged in 
organizing and fitting out important expeditions, his place 
in the field being assumed during that period by General 
C. F. Smith. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 59 

On the eleventh of March, 1862, General Grant received 
one of the testimonials of regard of which he has been upon 
frequent occasions the worthy recipient, the officers at 
Fort Henry having on that day presented him with a 
costly sword, the blade of which was of the finest steel 
and the handle of ivory mounted with gold. 

THE BATTLE OF PITTSBURG LANDIITG. 

Two days later, General Halleck assumed command of 
the Department of the Mississippi, a large and important 
district of which was intrusted to the charge of General 
Grant. Important reconnoissances were immediately made, 
and an advance subsequently commenced towards Corinth, 
Mississippi, which had been strongly fortified by the rebels. 
As the Union troops advanced they encamped at Savannah 
and Pittsburg Landing, and other accessible points, until 
at length the entire army had concentrated ready for 
battle. The Union forces consisted of five divisions, or- 
ganized as follows : 

Major- General GRxInt, Commander-in-chief. 

First Division, Major-General McClernand. 

Second Division, Brigadier- General W. H. L. Wal- 
lace. 

Third Division, Major-General Lewis Wallace. 

Fourth Division, Brigadier- General Hurlbut. 

Fifth Division, Brigadier-General W. T. Sherman. 

The rebel army was divided into three corps, and was 
mustered under the following leaders : 

General A. S. Johnston, Commanding General. 

General P, G. T. Beauregard, Second in Command. 

First Army Corps, Lieut. General L. Polk. 

Second Army Corps, Lieut. General Braxton Bragg. 

Third Army Corps, Lieut. General W. T. Hardee. 

Reserves, Major-General G. B. Crittenden. 

On the evening of April second, 1862, the vidcttes of the 



60 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

Third Division, stationed at Cruinp^s Landing, were driven 
in and a brisk skirmish ensued, and on the evenin*; of the 
fourth, another attack was made by two rebel regiments, 
but after an exchange of volleys they were compelled to 
retreat. The fifth of April had been set apart by the 
rebel commander for the day of attack, but in consequence 
of the failure of reinforcements under command of Price 
and Van Dorn to arrive as expected, they resolved to wait 
another day. Their object was to attack the Union army 
before it could be strengthened by the forces under General 
Buell, which were then advancing from Nashville, and at 
an early hour on Sunday morning our pickets were attacked 
and driven in. Of the protracted and sanguinary battle 
which followed, an eye-witness gives the following interest- 
ing account : 

4« Pittsburg Landing, via Fort Heney, 
''Ap7-tl 9tK 1862, 3.20 a.m. 

" One of the greatest and bloodiest battles of modern days 
has just closed, resulting in the complete route of the enemy, 
who attacked us at daybreak, vSunday morning, April 6th. 

" The battle lasted, without intermission, during the entire 
day, and was again renewed on Monday morning, and continued 
undecided until four o'clock in the afternoon, when the enemy 
commenced their retreat, and are still flying towards Corinth, 
pursued by a large force of our cavalry. 

" The slaughter on both sides is immense. We have lost in 
killed, wounded, and missing, from eighteen to twenty thou- 
sand ; that of the enemy is estimated at from thirty-five to forty 
thousand. 

" It is impossible, in the present confused state of affairs, to 
ascertain any of the details ; I, therefore, give you the best ac- 
count possible from observation, having passed through the 
storm of action during the two days that it raged. 

" The fight was brought on by a body of three hundred of the 
Twenty-fifth Missouri regiment, of General Prentiss's Division, 
attacking the advance guard of the rebels, which were sup- 
posed to be the pickets of the enemy in front of our camps. 

" The rebels immediately advanced on General Prentiss's 
Division on the left wing, pouring volley after volley of mus- 
ketry, and riddling our camps with grape, canister, and shell. 
Our forces soon formed into line and returned their fire vigor- 
ously. By the time we were prepared to receive thcra, the 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-aENERAL GRANT. 61 

rebels had turned their heaviest fii-e on the left centre, Sher- 
man's Division, and drove our men back fVoin their camps ; then, 
bringiiifT up a fresh force, opened tire on our left wing-, under 
General McCleniand. This fire was returned with terrible 
effect and determined spiiit by both infantry and artillery', along 
the whole line, for a distance of over four miles. 

" General Hurlbut's division was thrown forward to support 
the centre, when a desperate conflict ensued. The rebels were 
driven back with terrible slaughter, but soon rallied and drove 
back our men in turn. From about nine o'clock, the time your 
correspondent arrived on the held, until night closed on the 
bloody scene, there was no detei mination of the result of 
the struggle. The rebels exhibited remarkably -good general- 
ship. At times engaging the left, with apparently their whole 
strength, they would suddenly open a terrible and destructive 
fire on the right or centre. Even our heaviest and most de- 
structive fire upon the enemy did not appear to di.^courage their 
solid columns. The fire of Major Taylor's Chicago artillery 
raked them down in scores, but the smoke would no sooner 
be dispersed than the breach would again be filled. 

" The most desperate fighting took place late in the afternoon. 
The rebels knew that, if they did not succeed in whipping us 
then, their chances for success would be extremely doubtful, as 
a portion of General Buell's forces had by this time arrived on 
the opposite side of the river, and another portion was coming 
up the river from Savannah. They became aware that we were 
being reinforced, as they could see General Buell's troops from 
the river bank, a short distance above us on the left, to which 
point they had forced their way. 

"At five o'clock the rebels had forced our left wing back so as 
to occupy fully two-thirds of our camp, and were fighting their 
way forward with a desperate degree of confidence in their ef- 
forts to drive us into the river, and at the same time heavily en- 
gaged our right. 

'' Up to this time we had received no reinforcements. General 
Lewis Wallace failing to come to our support until the day was 
over. Being without other transports than those used for quar- 
termaster's and commissary stores, which were too heavily laden 
to ferry any considerable number of General Buell's forces across 
the river, and the boats that were here having been sent to bring 
up the troops from Savannah, we could not even get those men 
to us who were so near, and anxiously waiting to take part in 
the struggle. We were, therefore, contesting against fearful 
odds, our force not exceeding thirty-eight thousand men, while 
that of the enemy was upwards of sixty thousand. 

" Our condition at this moment was extremely critical. Large 
numbers of men panic struck, others worn out by hard fighting, 
with the average percentage of skulkers, had stragg-led towards 
the rivor, and could not be rallied. 
4 



62 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

" General Grant and staff, who had been recklessly riding 
along the lines during the entire da}', amid the unceasing stonii 
of bullets, grape, and shell, now rode from right to left, inciting 
the men to stand firm until our reinforcements could cross the 

river. 

*' Colonel Webster, Chief of Staff, immediately got into posi- 
tion the heaviest pieces of artillery, pointing on the enemy's 
right, while a large number of the batteries were planted along 
the entire line, from the river bank northwest to our extreme 
right, some two and a half miles distant. About an hour before 
dusk, a general cannonading was opened upon the enemy from 
along our whole line, with a perpetual crack of musketry. 
Such a roar of artillery was never heard on this continent. For 
a short time the rebels replied with vigor and effect, but their 
return shots grew less frequent and destructive, while ours grew 
more rapid and more terrible. 

" The gunboats Lexington and Tyler, which lay a short dis- 
tance off, kept raining shell on the rebel hordes. This last effort 
was too much for the enemy, and ere dusk had set in the firing 
had nearly ceased, when, night coming on, all the combatanta 
rested from their awful work of blood and carnage. 

" Our men rested on their arms in the position they had at the 
close of the night, until the forces of Major-General Lewis Wal- 
lace arrived and took position on the right, and General Buell's 
forces from the opposite side and Savannah, were being conveyed 
to the battle-ground. The entire right of General Nelson's divi- 
sion was ordered to form on the right, and the forces under 
General Crittenden were ordered to his support early in the 
morning. 

" General Buell, having himself arrived on Sunday evening, 
on the morning of Monday, April 7th, the ball was opened at 
daylight, simultaneously by General Nelson's division on the left, 
and Major- General Wallace's division on the right. General 
Nelson's force opened up a most galling fire on the rebels, and 
advanced rapidly as they fell back. The fire soon became gen- 
eral along the whole line, and began to tell with terrible effect 
on the enemy. Generals McCleruand, Sherman, and Hurlbut's 
men, though terribly jaded from the previous day's fighting, still 
maintained their honors won at Donelson ; but the resistance of 
the rebels at all points of the attack was terrible, and worthy 
of a better cause. 

" But they were not enough for our undaunted bravery, and 
the dreadful desolation produced by our artillery, which ^yas 
sweeping them away like chaff before the wind. But knowing 
that a defeat here would be the death-blow to their hopes, and 
that their all depended on this great struggle, their generals 
still urged them on in the face of destruction, hoping by flank- 
ing us on the right to turn the tide of battle. Their success 
was again for a time cheering, as they began to gain ground on 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 63 

US, appearing to have been reinforced ; but our left, under Gen- 
eral Nelson, was driving them, and with wonderful rapidity, and 
by eleven o'clock General Buell's forces had succeeded in flank- 
ing them, and capturing their batteries of artillery. 

"They, however, again rallied on the left, and re-crossed, and 
the right forced themselves forward in another desperate effort. 
But reinforcements from General Wood and General Thomas 
were coming in, regiment after regiment, which were sent to 
General Buell, who had again commenced to drive the enemy. 

'•About three o'clock in the afternoon. General Grant rode to 
the left where the fresh regiments had been ordered, and, finding 
the rebels wavering, sent a portion of his body guard to the head 
of each of five regiments, and then ordered a charge across tlie 
field, himself leading ; and as he brandished his sword and 
waved them on to the crowning victory, the cannon-balls were 
falling like hail around him. 

" The men followed with a shout that sounded above the roar 
and din of artillery, and the rebels fled in dismay as from a de- 
stroying avalanche, and never made another stand. 

" General Buell followed the retreating rebels, driving them in 
splendid style, and by half-past five o'clock the whole rebel army 
was in full retreat to Corinth, with our cavalry in hot pursuit, 
with what further result is not known, not having returned up 
to this hour. 

" We have taken a large amount of their artillery and also a 
number of prisoners. We lost a number of our forces prisoners 
yesterday, among whom is General Prentiss. The number of 
our force taken has not yet been ascertained. It is reported at 
several hundred. General Prentiss was also reported as being 
wounded. Among the killed on the rebel side was their Gen- 
eral-in-Ohief, Albert Sidney Johnston, who was struck by a 
cannon-ball on the afternoon of Sunday. Of this there is no 
doubt, and it is further reported that General Beauregard was 
wounded. 

" This afternoon, Generals Bragg, Breckinridge, and Jackson 
•were commanding portions of the rebel forces. 

"There has never been a parallel to the gallantry and bear- 
ing of our officers, from the Commanding General to the lowest 
officer. 

" General Grant and staff were in the field, riding along the 
lines in the thickest of the enemy's fire during the entire two 
days of the battle, and all slept on the ground Sunday night, 
during a heavy rain. On several occasions General Grant got 
within range of the enemy's guns, and was discovered and 
fired upon. 

" Lieutenant-Colonel McPherson had his horse shot from un- 
der him when along side of General Grant. 

" Captain Carson was between General Grant and your cor- 
respondent, when a cannon-ball took off his head and killed and 
wounded several others 



64 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENJilRAL GRANT. 

*' General Sherman bad two horses killed under him, and Gen- 
eral McClernand shared like dangers; also General Hurlbut, 
each of whom received bullet holes through their clothes." 

General Grant's official report of the battle was worded 

as follows : 

" Head-quarters, Dist. "Western Tennessee, 
" Pittsburgh, April 9th, 1862. 

*' To Captain N. H. McLean, A. A. G., Department of Missis- 
sippi, St. Louis : 

" Captain : — It becomes my duty again to report another 
battle fought between two great armies, one contending for the 
maintenance of the best government ever devised, and the other 
for its destruction. It is pleasant to record the success of the 
army contending for the former principle. 

"On Sunday morning our pickets were attacked and driven 
in by the enemy. Immediately the five divisions stationed at 
this place were drawn up in line of battle to meet them. 

" The battle soon waxed warm on the left and centre, varying 
at times to all parts of the line. There was the most continuous 
firing of musketry and artillery ever heard on this continent, 
kept up until nightfall. 

"The enemy having forced the centre line to fall back nearly 
half-way from their camps to the landing, at a late hour in the 
afternoon a desperate effort was made by the enemy to turn our 
left and get possession of the landing, transports, etc. 

"This point was guarded by the gunboats, Tyler and Lexing- 
ton, Captains Gwin and Shirk, commanding, with four twenty- 
four-pounder Parrot guns, and a battery of rifled guns. 

" As there is a deep and impassable ravine for artillery or 
cavalry, and very difficult for infantry at this point, no troops 
were stationed here except the necessary artillerists and a small 
infantry force for their support. Just at this moment the ad- 
vance of Major-General Buell's column and a part of the divi- 
sion of General Nelson arrived, the two generals named both 
being present. An advance was immediately made upon the 
point of attack, and the enemy was soon driven back. 

" In this repulse, much is due to the presence of the gunboats 
Tyler and Lexington, and their able commanders, Captains Gwin 
and Shirk. 

" During the night the divisions under Generals Crittenden and 
McCook arrived. 

" General Lewis Wallace, at Camp Landing, six miles below, 
was ordered, at an early hour in the morning, to hold his divi- 
sion in readiness to move in any direction it might be ordered. 
At eleven o'clock, the order w^as delivered to move it up to 
Pittsburgh, but owing to its being led by a circuitous route, did 
not arrive in time to take part in Sunday's action. 

" Daring the night all was quiet, and, feeling that a great 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 65 

moral advantage would he gained by becoming the attacking 
party, an advance was ordered as soon as day dawned. The re- 
sult was the gradual repulse of the enemy at all points of the 
line, from nine until probably five o'clock in the afternoon, when 
it became evident the enemy was retreating, 

" Before the close of the action, the advance of General T. J. 
Wood's division ari-ived in time to take part in the action. 

" My force was too much fatigued, from two days' hard fight- 
ing and exposure in the open air to a drenching rain during the 
intervening night, to pursue immediately. 

"Night closed in cloudy and with a heavy rain, making the 
roads impracticable for artillery by the next morning. 

" General Sherman, however, followed the enemy, finding that 
the main part of the army had retreated in good order. 

"Hospitals with the enemy's wounded were found all along 
the road as far as pursuit was made. Dead bodies of the enemy 
and many graves were also found. I inclose herewith a report 
of General Sherman, which will explain more fully the result of 
the pursuit, and of the part taken by each separate command. 

"I cannot take special notice in this report, but will do so 
more fully when the reports of the division commanders are 
handed in. 

" General Buell, commanding in the field with a distinct army 
long under his command, and which did such efficient service, 
commanded by himself in person on the field, will be much bet- 
ter able to notice those of his command who particularly dis- 
tinguished themselves, than I possibly can. 

" I feel it a duty, however, to a gallant and able officer, Briga- 
dier-General W. T. Sherman, to make special mention. He not 
only was with his com.mand during the entire two days of the 
action, but displayed great judgment and skill in the manage- 
ment of his men ; although severely wounded in the hand on the 
first day, his place was never vacant. He was again wounded, 
and had three horses killed under him. In making this mention 
of a gallant officer no disparagement is intended to other divi- 
sion commanders or major-generals, John A. McClernand, and 
Lewis Wallace, and Brigadier-Clenerals Hnrlbut, Prentiss, and 
W. H. L. Wallace, all of whom maintained their places with 
credit to themselves and the cause. General Prentiss was taken 
prisoner on the first day's action, and General W, H. L. Wal- 
lace was severely, and probably mortally, wounded. His As- 
sistant Adjutant-General, Captain William McMichael, is miss- 
ing, and was probably taken prisoner. My personal staff are all 
deserving of particular mention, they having been engaged 
during the entire two davs in carryins- orders to every pan of 
the field. It consists of Colonel J. Dr Webster, Chief of Staff'; 
Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. McPherson, Chief of Engineers, as- 
sisted by Lieutenants W. L. B. Jenny and William Kossac ; 
Captain J. A. Rawlins, Assistant Adjutant-General; W. S. 



66 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

Hilyer, W. K. Rawley, and C. B. Lagon, Aides-de-Canip ; 
Colonel G. Pride, Volunteer Aid, and Captain J. P. Hawkins, 
Chief Commissary, who accompanied me upon the field. The 
medical department, under direction of Surgeon Hewitt, Medical 
Director, showed great energy in providing for the wounded and 
in getting them from the field, regardless of danger. 

" Colonel Webster was placed in special charge of all the artil- 
lery, and was constantly upon the field. He displayed, as always 
heretofore, both skill and bravery. At least in one instance he 
was the means of placing an entire regiment in position of doing 
most valuable service, and where it would not have been but for 
his exertions. Lieutenant-Colonel McPherson, attached to my 
staff as Chief of Engineers, deserves more than a passing notice 
for his activity and courage. All the grounds beyond our can)ps 
for miles have been reconnoitered by him, and the plans care- 
fully prepared under his supervision give the most accurate in- 
formation of the nature of the approaches to our lines. During 
the two days' battle he was constantly in the saddle leading the 
troops as they arrived to points where their services were re- 
quired. During the engagement he had one horse shot under 
him. 

" The country w^ill have to mourn the loss of many brave mea 
who fell at the battle of Pittsburgh, or Shiloh more properly. 

" The exact loss in killed and wounded will be known in a day 
or two. 

" At present I can only give it approximately at one thou- 
sand five hundred killed, and three thousand five hundred 
wounded. 

"The loss of artillery was great, many pieces being disabled 
by the enemy's shots, and some losing all their horses and many 
men. There were probably not less than two hundred horses 
killed. 

" The loss of the enemy in killed and left upon the field was 
greater than ours. In the wounded an estimate cannot be made, 
as many of them must have been sent to Corinth and other 
points. 

" The enemy suffered terribly from demoralization and de- 
sertion. 

"A flag of truce was sent in to-day from General Beauregard. 
I inclose herewith a copy of the correspondence. 

" I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

'■ U. S. Grant, 
''Major- General Commanding '^ 

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GENERALS 
BEAUREGARD AND GRANT. 

" Head-quarters. Department of Mi^^sissippi, 
" Monterey, April Sth, 1862. 
"Sir: — At the close of the conflict of yesterday, my forces 
being exhausted by the extraordinary length of the time during 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 67 

which they were engasfed with your?, on that and the preceding 
day, and it being apparent that you had received and were still 
receiving, reinforcements, I lelt it my duly to withdraw my 
troops from the immediate scene of the conflict. Under these 
circumstances, in accordance with the usages of war, I shall 
transmit this under a flag of truce, to ask permission to send a 
mounted party to the battle-field of Shiloh, for the purpose of 
giving decent interment to my dead. Certain gentlemen wish- 
ing to avail themselves of this opportunity to remove the re- 
mains of their sons and friends, I must request for them the 
privilege of accompanying the burial-party; and in this connec- 
tion I deem it proper to say I am asking what 1 have extended 
to your own countrymen under similar circumstances. 

*' Respectfully, General, your obedient servant, 

" " P. G. T. Beauregard, 
''General Commanding. 
"To Major-General U. S. Grant, 

''Major-General Commanding U. S. Forces, Pittsburgh 
Landing." 

*' Head-quarters, Army in Field, 

" Pittsburgh, April 9th, 1862. 

"To General P. G. T. Beauregard, Commanding Confederate 

Army on Mississippi, Monterey, Tenn. : 

"Your despatch of yesterday is just received. Owing to the 
warmth of the weather, I deemed it advisable to have all the dead 
of both parties buried immediately. Heavy details were made 
for this purpose, and it is now accomplished. There cannot, 
therefore, be any necessity of admitting within our lines the 
parties you desired to send on the grounds asked. I shall al- 
ways be glad to extend any courtesy consistent with duty, and 
especially so when dictated by humanity. 

" I am, General, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

" U. S. Grant, 
"Major- Gen eral Commanding." 

The intelligence of the great struggle, with its success- 
ful result, was transmitted with lightning speed to every 
section of the Northern States, and while the loss we had 
incurred caused a universal feeling of sorrow to pervade 
every loyal community, songs of praise and rejoicing at 
the victory resounded through the land. The War De- 
partment officially thanked the heroes who had been in- 
strumental in repulsing the enemy ; General Halleck, the 
commander of the Denartment, expressed his gratitude to 



"68 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

Generals Grant and Bael], and the officers and men of their 
respective commands, for the bravery and endurance which 
had led to the defeat of the enemy ; salutes were fired by 
patriots in various cities and towns; and throughout the 
length and breadth of the loyal States there was the most 
enthusiastic rejoicing over this decisive repulse of the 
rebel army in the Southwest. 

After the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, General Buell 
began criticising in a friendly way the impolicy of his 
having fought a battle with the Tennessee river behind 
his men. " Where, if beaten, could you have retreated, 
General?" asked Buell. "I didn't mean to be beaten," 
was Grant's sententious reply. " But suppose you had 
been defeated, despite all your exertions ?" " Well, there 
were all the transports to carry the remains of the com- 
mand across the river." "But, General," urged Buell, 
"your whole transports could not contain even ten thou- 
sand men, and it would be impossible for them to make 
more than one trip in the face of the enemy." " Well, if 
I had been beaten," said General Grant, pausing to light 
another cigar as he spoke, "transportation for ten thousand 
men would have been abundant for all that would have 
been left of us." 

IMPOHTANT REcoiq'isroissAisrcES. 

On the eighth of April, 1862, the army being now under 
the command of General Halleck, General Sherman, with 
a large cavalry and infantry force, made a reconnoissance 
in the direction of Corinth, and after a slight skirmish, com- 
pelled the enemy to retire, and then destroyed his camp ; 
and on the morning of the seventeenth of the same month, 
a mounted force, numbering about four thousand, under 
the command of General Smith, Chief of cavalry upon 
General Hallcck's staff, left Pittsburgh Landing, and when 
near Monterey, the advance encountered the rebel pickets, 
and subsequently, a large body of infantry. The position 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 69 

of the foe having been ascertained, the Union troops re- 
turned to camp. A week later, the same commander at- 
tacked the rebel pickets, and driving them back, advanced 
to Pea Ridge, where, finding the enemy drawn up in line 
of battle, he attacked and forced them to leave the field, 
their tents, equipage and private baggage falling into his 
hands. On the twenty-seventh, Purdy, on the line of the 
Jackson and Corinth railroad, and about ten miles from 
the latter place, was evacuated by the rebels, and two 
days later, Monterey was visited by the Union troops, and 
the enemy's camp, which was deserted at the approach of 
our forces, destroyed. On the thirtieth of April a recon- 
noissance in force was made from the right wing of the 
Union army, and a large body of rebel cavalry attacked 
and compelled to fall back beyond Purdy. That town was 
then occupied for a period sufficiently extended to enable 
our troops to burn two important bridges, and thus cut 
off all railroad communication between Corinth and the 
North. This last achievement may be regarded as the 
commencement of the celebrated siege (^f Corinth. 

RE-ORGATTISATION OP THE AHMY— GENERAL 
GRANT SECOND IN COMMAND. 

Early in May, 1862, the " Grand Army of the Ten- 
nessee" was organized, and was composed of the Army 
of the Tennessee (right) under General Grant; the Army 
of the Mississippi (left) under General Pope ; and the 
Army of the Ohio (centre) under General Buell. There 
were sixteen divisions in all, eight of which wore in Gen- 
eral Grant's command, four constituting the right or active 
wing under General Thomas, and four constituting the 
reserve corps under General McClernand. General Grant 
was at the same time ordered to retain command of his 
District, and was placed second in command under the 
major-general commanding the Department, General Hal- 
leck. 



70 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

GENERAL GRANT VILLIFIED— AN ABLE CON- 
GRESSIONAL DEFENCE. 

This additional mark of appreciation bestowed by a 
superior officer who had ample opportunit}^ to witness the 
great ability and gallantry of General Grant, was tendered 
at a moment when jealous military opponents and unscru- 
pulous journalists were straining every nerve to have him 
removed from the field of his successful operations. His 
qualifications as a soldier were disparaged, and his private 
character most unjustifiably and villanously assailed, un- 
til at length the public outcry pervaded the halls of Con- 
gress. His friends, however, hastened to the rescue, and 
many addresses and arguments were made in his defence. 
In a speech made by the Hon. E. B. Washburne, of Illi- 
nois, in the United States House of Representatives, on 
the second of May, 1862, his assailants received a merited 
rebuke, as the following extract will show : 

" Mr. Speaker," said Mr. Washburne, " I will only trouble the 
House for a few moments, but when justice claims to be heard, 
it is said that a nation should be silent. 

"It may be inquired whether in this rebellion history is not 
repeating itself. I come before the House to do a great act of 
justice t'o a soldier in the field, and to vindicate him from the 
obloquy and misrepresentations so persistently and cruelly thrust 
before the country. I refer to a distinguished general who has 
recently fought the bloodiest and hardest battle ever fought on 
this continent, and won one of the most brilliant victories. I 
refer to the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, and to Major-General 
Ulysses S. Grant. A native of Ohio, he graduated at West 
Point. July 1st, 1843, with the brevet rank of second-lieutenant, 
and was appointed second-lieutenant, September 30th, 1845. 
Though but forty fears old, he has been oftener under fire and 
been in more battles than any other man living on this conti- 
nent, excepting that great chieftain now reposing on his laurels 
and on the affections of his countrymen, Lieutenant-General 
Scott. He was in every battle in Mexico that was possible for 
any one man to be in. He followed the victoriotis standard of 
General Tavlor on the Rio Grande, and was in the battles of 
Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palm a, and Monterey. He was with 
General Scott at Vera Cruz, and participated in every battle 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 71 

from the Gulf to the city of Mexico. He was breveted first- 
lieutenant September 8th, 1847, for gallant and meritorious con- 
duct at the battle of Molino del Rey, and on the 13th of the 
same mouth he was breveted captain for gallant and meritorious 
conduct at the battle of Chapnltepec. He has received the 
baptismal of fire. No youug officer came out of the Mexican 
war with more distinction than Grant, and the records of the 
War Department bear official testimony to his gallant and noble 
deeds. He resigned in 1855, and afterwards settled in Galena, 
in the district I have the honor to represent on this floor. 

" Grant was among the first to offer his services to the coun- 
try at the commencement of hostilities, saying that as he had 
been educated by the Government, that Government was entitled 
to his services in its time of peril. Early made a colonel of one 
of the Illinois regiments, he went into actual service in Mis- 
souri. His commands there were important, and he discharged 
every duty with great fidelity and advantage to the public ser- 
vice. With a military head and a military hand, he everywhere 
evoked order from chaos. Military discipline, order, and 
economy, travelled in his path. In time he was a brigadier- 
general, and intrusted with the important command of the dis- 
trict of Cairo; and how diligently, how faithfully, how satisfac- 
torily he discharged all his duties, is well known to the country. 
While in that command, learning of a movement about being 
made by the rebels at Columbus to send out a large force to cut 
off Colonel Oglesby, who had gone into Missouri after that 
roaming bandit, Jeff. Thompson, by a sudden and masterly 
stroke he fell upon Belmont, and after a brilliant and decisive 
action, in which he and all his troops displayed great bravery, 
lie broke up the rebel camp with great loss, and then returned 
to Cairo. The expedition was broken up, Oglesby's command 
was saved, and every thing was accomplished that was expected. 

" In time came the operations up the Cumberland and Tennes- 
see. By a singular coincidence, on the 29th day of January last, 
without any suggestion from any source, General Grant and 
Commodore Foote, always acting in entire harmony, applied for 
permission to move up the Cumberland and Tennessee, which 
was granted. The gunboats and land forces moved up to Fort 
Henry. After that fort was taken it was determined to attack 
Fort Donelson. The gunboats were to go round and up the 
Cumberland river, while the army was to move overland from 
Fort Henry to Fort Donelson. 

" The roads were the worst ever known, and almost any other 
general or any other troops would have despaired of moving 
But they did move. If General Grant had been told that it 
was impossible to move his army there, he would have made a 
reply like to that of the royal Pompey, when he was told that 
his fleet could not sail : ' It is necessary to sail, not necessary 
to live.' It was necessary for this western army to march, but it 



72 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

was uot necessary to live. The country knows the result — 
Donelson fell. The enemy, twenty thousand strong, behind his 
intrenchments, succumbed before the unrelenting bravery and 
vigor of our troops, no more than twenty-eight thousand en- 
i>-ao:ed. We took there, not twelve thousand, not fifteen thou- 
sand, but more than sixteen thousand prisoners. I have it from 
General Halleck, that we have actually paid transportation for 
more than sixteen thousand prisoners. That, in most countries, 
would have been called a most brilliant military achievement. 
Napoleon surrounded Old Mack at Ulm, and captured twenty 
thousand or more prisoners, and that exploit has filled a great 
space in history. 

"While the'^capture of Donelson filled the country with joy, 
there was a cruel disposition to withhold from the commanding 
general the meed of gratitude and praise so justly his due. 
Captious criticisms were indulged in that he did not make the 
attack properly, and that if he had done differently the work 
might have been better accomplished. It was not enough that 
he fought and gloriously conquered, but he ought to have done 
it differently, forsooth. Success could be no test of merit with 
him. That was the way the old generals spoke of the young 
Napoleon when he was beating them in every battle, and carry- 
ing his eagles in triumph over all Europe. He did not fight ac- 
cording to the rules of war. But there was a more grievous 
sugfrestion touching the general's habits. It is a suggestion 
that has infused itself into the public mind everywhere. There 
never was a more cruel and atrocious slander upon a brave and 
noble-minded man. There is no more temperate man in the 
army than General Grant. He never indulges in the use of in- 
toxicating liquors at all. He is an example of courage, honor, 
fortitude, activity, temperance, and modesty, for he is as modest 
as he is brave and incorruptible. To the bravery and fortitude 
of Lannes, he adds the stern republican simplicity of Guvion 
St. Oyr. It is almost vain to hope that full justice will ever be 
done to men who have been thus attacked. Truth is slow iipon 
the heels of falsehood. It has been well said that ' falsehood 
will travel from Maine to Georgia while truth is putting on its 
boots.' 

"Let no gentleman have any fears of General Grant. He is 
no candidate for the Presidency. He is no politician. Inspired 
by the noblest patriotism, he only desires to do his whole duty 
to his country. When the war shall be over iie will return to 
his home, and sink the soldier in the simple citizen. Though 
living in the same town with myself, he has no political claims on 
me, for, so far as he is a politician, he belongs to a different party. 
He has no personal claims upon me more than any other con- 
stituent. But I came here to speak as an Illinoisian, proud of 
his noble and patriotic State ; proud of its great history now 
being made up ; proud above all earthly things of her brave 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 73 

soldiers, who are shedding their blood upon all the battle-fields 
of the Republic. If the laurels of Grant shall ever be withered, 
it will not be done by the Illinois soldiers who have followed his 
victorious banner. 

" But to the victory at Pittsburgh Landing, which has called 
forth such a flood of denunciation upon General Grant. When 
we consider the charges of bad generalship, incompetency, and 
surprise, do we not feel that ' even the joy of the people is cruel ?' 
As to the question of whether there was, or not, what might be 
called a surprise, I will not argue it; but even if there had 
been, General Grant is no wise responsible for it, for he was not 
surprised. He was at his head-quarters at Savannah when the 
fight commenced. Those head-quarters were established there, 
as being the most convenient point for all parts of his command. 
Some of the troops were at Crump's Landing, between Savannah 
and Pittsburgh, and all the new arrivals were coming to Savan- 
nah. That was the proper place for the head-quarters of the 
commanding general at that time. The general visited Pitts- 
burgh Landing and all the important points every day. The 
attack was made Sunday morning by a vastly superior force. 
In five minutes after the first firing was heard. General Grant 
and staff were on board a steamboat on the way to the battle- 
field, and instead of not reaching the field till ten o'clock, or, as 
has been still more falsely represented, till noon, I have a letter 
before me from one of his aides who was with him, and who says 
he arrived there at eioht o'clock in the morning, and imme- 
diately assumed command. There he directed the movements, 
and was always on that part of the field where his presence was 
most required, exposing his life, and evincing in his dispositions, 
the genius of the greatest commanders. With what desperate 
bravery that battle of Sunday was fought ! what display of 
prowess and courage! what prodigies of valor! Our troops, 
less than forty thousand, attacked by more than eighty thou- 
sand of the picked men of the rebels, led by their most distin- 
guished generals ! 

" But it is gravely charged by these military critics who sit 
by the fireside while our soldiers are risking their lives on the 
field of conflict, that Grant was to blame in having his troops on 
the same side of the river with the enemy. I suppose they 
would have the river interpose between our army and the enemy, 
and permit that enemy to intrench himself on the other side, 
and then undertake to cross in his face. It was, in the judg- 
ment of the best military men, a wise disposition of his forces, 
placing them where he did. To have done otherwise, would 
have been like keeping the entire army of the Potomac on this 
side of the river, instead of crossing it when it could be done, 
and advancing on the other side. 

"After fighting all day with immensely superior numbers of 
the enemy, they only drove our forces back two and one half 



74 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

miles, and then it was to face the gunboats and the terrible 
batteries so skilfully arranged and worked by the gallant and 
accomplished otBcers, Webster and Callender, and which 
bronght the countless host of the enemy to a stand. And 
when night came, this unconquerable army stood substantially 
triumphant on that bloody field. 

" I believe, notwithstanding the desperate fighting on Sunday, 
and the partial repulse of our troops, that, aided by the fresh 
troops of the brave Lew, Wallace, that army could have whipped 
the enemy on Monday without further reinforcements. That 
army could never have been conquered. But I would not de- 
tract from the glorious fighting of Buell's troops on Monday, 
for they behaved with great gallantry and fought bravely, suc- 
cessfully, and well. Justice must be done to all. By a general 
order. General Halleck, now on the spot and cognizant of all 
the facts, has publicly thanked the generals, Grant, Buell, and 
Sherman, indorsing their bravery and skill, 

"Sir, I have detained the House too long, but I have felt 
called upon to say this much. I came only to claim public 
justice ; the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, thou<>h a bloody one, 
yet it will make a bright page in our history. The final charge 
of General Grant at the head of his reserves will have a place, 
too, in history. While watching the progress of the battle on 
Monday afternoon, word came to him that the enemy was falter- 
ing on the left. With the genius that belongs oidy to the true 
military man, he saw that the time for the final blow had come. 
Tn quick words he said, 'Now is the time to drive them.' It 
was worthy the world-renowned order of Wellington, 'Up, 
Guards, and at them.' Word was sent by his body-guard to the 
different regiments to be ready to charge when the order was 
given ; then, riding out in front amid a storm of bullets, he led 
the charge in person, and Beauregard was driven howling to his 
intrenchments. His left was broken, and a retreat commenced 
which soon degenerated into a perfect rout. The loss of the 
enemy was three to our two in men, and in much greater pro- 
portion in the demoralization of an army which follows a defeat. 
That battle has laid the foundation for finally driving the rebels 
from the Southwest. So much for the battle of Pittsburgh 
Landing, which has evoked such unjust and cruel criticism, but 
which history will record as one of the most glorious victories 
that has ever illustrated the annals of a great nation." 

SKIRMISHING BEFORE CORINTH -THE EVAC- 
UATION OF THAT STRONGHOLD. 

Between the eighth and the middle of May, there were 
numerous skirmishes between the opposing forces, which 
were gradually approaching closer to each other, and on 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 75 

the seventeenth of the month, General Sherman's division 
advanced along the Corinth road, until they reached a 
point known as "Russell's House," where they encoun- 
tered the enemy, and after a sharp engagement, succeeded 
in driving them from their position, which General Sher- 
man occupied and intrenched. On the morning of the 
twenty-first, General Thomas A. Davies's division moved 
forward for the purpose of occupying an important ridge 
to the north of Phillip's Creek. Fire was immediately 
opened by the enemy, and for some time a severe engage- 
ment progressed, but finally the rebels were compelled to 
retire, completely routed, and the Union troops occupied 
and fortified the ridge, which was within shelling distance 
of the enemy's intrenchments. On the twenty-seventh 
the rebels were whipped by General Sherman's division, 
and on the next day three columns, commanded respec- 
tively by Generals Thomas, Buell and Pope, and under 
the personal direction of General Grant, made a recon- 
noissance within gunshot of the works at Corinth. Their 
advance was hotly contested, but the rebels were driven 
back with considerable loss, and the objects of the recon- 
noissance were satisfactorily accomplished. On the twenty- 
ninth, much to the astonishment of our officers and men, 
who had anticipated another scene of blood, the rebels 
evacuated Corinth, and on the following morning the 
place, and the numerous formidable works around it, were 
occupied by General Halleck's army, the Fifth division of 
General Grant's Army of the Tennessee being the first to 
enter the works. 

Pursuit of the demoralized Southern troops was imme- 
diately commenced, and was continued until, finding it 
impossible to rival the fugitives in speed, the pursuers were 
ordered to return. Expeditions were also sent in different 
directions to destroy railroad communications, not the 
least important of which was one sent to Holly Springs, 



76 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

under command of General Sherman, and which destroyed 
much valuable property in and near that place. 

IMPORTANT ORDERS ISSUED AT MEMPHIS. 

Immediateh^ after the surrender of Memphis in June, 
1862, General Grant visited that city, and placing it under 
the charge of a Provost-Marshal, took such decisive steps 
as would tend to suspend the illicit traffic which had been 
previously extensiveh'" carried on by the sympathizers 
with treason, between that point and the States in rebel- 
lion, and also check the depredations of guerillas in that 
section of the country. The sending of goods, fire-arms^ 
ammunition, and correspondence out of the city, was pro- 
hibited ; persons desirous of leaving the place, were re- 
quired first to take the oath of allegiance, or give a parole 
of honor ; the families of persons holding civic or military 
positions under the rebel government, were instructed to 
move south beyond our lines, unless they signed a pre- 
scribed parole, and gave a guarantee that they had not 
conspired against the Government of the United States 
since the occupation of Memphis, and would not do so in 
the future ; guerillas were notified that they would not be 
treated as prisoners of war when captured, and the seizure 
and sale of the property of sympathizing residents of the 
immediate neighborhood, for the purpose of remunerating 
the Government for loss and expense that might be sus- 
tained by the depredations of the outlaws, was autliorized ; 
and finally, the unoccupied buildings in the city belonging 
to traitors, were ordered to be taken possession of imd 
rented for the benefit of the United States. 

GENERAL GRANT ASSUMES COMMATvTD OF 
THE DEPARTMENT OF WEST TENNESSEE- 
IMPORT ATQT ORDERS ISSUED. 

On the seventeenth of July, 1862, General Ilalleck took 
leave of his army, preparatory to going to Washington to 



LIFE OF LIEUTEN" ANT-GENERAL GRANT. 77 

assume a more exalted porfition, and immediately after- 
wards his Department was subdivided and placed under 
the command of different Generals. The "Department of 
West Tennessee" was assigned to General Grant, with 
Corinth as his head-quarters. From its creation, how- 
ever, until the middle of September, with the exception 
of a few skirmishes which invariably terminated in the 
success of the Union troops, there was no fighting, nor 
indeed any military movements of importance, 

During this interval, however, two important orders 
were issued by General Grant, the first of which was pro- 
mulgated on the eleventh of August, and was worded as 
follows : 

" Head-Quartkes, Department of West Tf.\xessee, 
" CoRi.vTH, Miss., August llth, 1862. 

" The recent Act of Congress prohibits the army from return- 
ing fugitives from labor to their claimants, and authorizes the 
employment of such persons iu the service of the government. 
The following orders are therefore published for the guidance 
of the army in this mutter. 

" 1. All fugitives thus employed must be registered ; the 
names of the fugitives and claimant given, and must be borne 
upon the morning report of the command in which they are kept, 
Khowinjf how they are employed. 

"2. Fugitives may be employed as laborers in the quarter- 
master's, subsistence, and engineer's department ; and whenever 
by such employment a soldier may be saved to its ranks, they 
may be employed us teamsters and as company cooks, not ex- 
ceeding four to a company, or as hospital attendants and nurses. 
Officers may employ them as private servants, in which latter 
case the fugitives will not be paid or rationed by the government. 
Neirroes thus employed must be secured as authorized persons, 
and will be excluded from the camps. 

*■ 3. Officers and soldiers are positively prohibited from en- 
ticing slaves to leave their masters. When it becomes necessary 
to employ this kind of labor, the commanding: officer of the 
post or troops must send details, all under the charge of a suita- 
ble commissioned officer, to press into service the slaves of 
persons to the number required. 

"4. Citizens withiu reach of any military station, known to 
be disloyal and dangerous, may be ordered away or arrested, 
and their crops and stock taken for the benefit of the govern- 
ment or the use of the army. 
5 



78 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

" 5. All property taken from rebel owners must be duly 
reported and used for the benefit of the government, and be 
issued to the troops through the proper department, and, when 
practicable, the act of taking should be accompanied by the 
written certificate of the officer so taking to the owner or agenfc 
of such property. 

*' It is enjoined on all commanders to see that this order is 
executed strictly under their own direction. The demoraliza- 
tion of troops subsequent upon being left to execute laws iii 
their own way without a proper head must be avoided. 

"By command of ''Major-General Grant. 

"John A. Rawlins, A. A. G." 

The other, intended for a number of disreputable char- 
acters who had fled from their respective States to Ten- 
nessee to escape the draft, read as follows : 

" Head-Quarters, Department of West Tennessee, 
"Corinth, Miss,, August IQth, 1862. 

" 1. All non-residents of this department, found within the 
same, who, if at home, would be subjected to draft, will at once 
be enrolled under the supervision of the local commanders 
where they may be found, and, in case of a draft being made by 
their respective States, an equal proportion will be drawn from 
persons thus enrolled. Persons so drawn will at once be 
assigned to troops from the States to which they owe military 
service, and the executive thereof notified of such draft. 

" 2. All violation of trade by army followers may be punished 
by confiscation of stock in trade, and the assignment of offenders 
to do military duty as private soldiers. 

"By command of ''Major- General U. S. Grant. 

"John A. Rawlins, A. A. G." 

THE BATTLE OF lUKA— GENERAL GRANT'S 
OFFICIAL REPORT. 

In the early part of September, 1862, the rebel forces 
having been greatly strengthened, commenced an advance 
towards the positions occupied b}^ General Grant's army, 
a portion of their number at the same time being sent 
northward to threaten Cincinnati. Their movements, 
however, were well known to General Grant, who made 
such dispositions of his men as would thwart their designs 
in Tennessee, and he also sent several of his regiments to 
defend Cincinnati. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GEANT. 79 

On the seventeenth of September, 1862, he ordered a 
general advance towards luka, where the rebel General 
Sterling Price had concentrated his army, and two da3^s 
later the advance of General Hamilton's division encoun- 
tered the enemy's pickets and drove them back. This 
was the commencement of the fiercely-contested battle of 
luka, the official report of which, made by General Grant 
to the War Department, was as follows : 

" Head-quarters, District West Tennessee, 
"Jackson, Tenn., October 22d, 1862. 
''Colonel J. C. Keltoyi, A. A. G., Washington, D. C: 

"Colonel: — 1 have the honor to make the following report 
of the battle of luka, and to submit herewith such reports of 
subordinates as have been received. 

" For some ten days or more before the final move of the rebel 
army under General Price, eastward from the Mobile and Ohio 
Railroad, it was evident that an attack upon Corinth was con- 
templated, or some change to be made in the location of that 
army. This caused great vigilance to be necessary on the part 
of our cavalry, especially that to the southern front under 
Colonel Mizner. The labor of watching-, with occasional 
skirmishing, was most satisfactorily performed, and almost 
every move of the enemy was known as soon as commenced. 

"About the 11th of September, Price left the railroad, the in- 
fantry and artillery probably moving from Baldwin, and the 
cavalry from the roads north of Baldwin, toward Bay Springs. 
At the latter place a halt of a few days seems to have been 
made; likely for the purpose of collecting stores, and recon- 
noitering on eastern flank. On the 13th of September, the 
enemy's cavalry made their appearance near luka, and were re- 
pulsed by the small garrison under Colonel Murphy, of the 
Eighth Wisconsin infantry, still left there to cover the removal 
of stores not yet brought into Corinth. The enemy appearing 
again in increased force on the same day. and having cut the 
railroad and telegraph between there and Burnsville'^, Colonel 
Murphy thought it prudent to retire to save his forces. 

"This caused a considerable amount of commissary stores to 
fall into the hands of the enemy, which property should have 
been destroyed. Price's whole foVce soon congreg-ated at luka. 

" Information brought in by scouts, as to the intention of the 
enemy, was conflicting. One report was, that Price wanted to 
cross Bear creek and the Tennessee river, for the purpose of 
crossing 'J'ennessee and getting into Kentucky. Another, that 
Van Dorn was to march by way of Eipley and attack us on the 
southwest, while Price should move on us from the east or north- 



80 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

west. A third, that Price would endoavor to cross the Tennes- 
see, and, if pursuit was attempted, Van Dorn was iu readiness 
to attack Corinth. 

'•Having satisfied myself that Tan Dorn could not reach 
Corinth under four days, with an army embracinu- all arms, I 
determined to leave Corinth with a force sufficient to resist 
cavalry, and to attack Price at luka. This I regarded as emi- 
nently" my duty, let either of the enemy's plans be the correct 
solution,. Accordingly, on the 16th, 1 gave some general direc- 
tions as to the plan of operations. 

" General Rosecrans was to move on the south side of the 
railroad to opposite luka, and attack from that side with all his 
available force, after leaving a sufficient force at Rienzi and 
Jacinto, to prevent the surprise on Corinth from that direction. 

" Major-General Ord was to move to Burnsville, and from 
there take roads north of the railroad and attack from that side. 
General Ord having to leave from his two divisions, already very 
much reduced in numbers, from long-continued service and the 
number of battles they had been in, the garrison at Corinth ; he 
also had one regiment of infantry and a squadron of cavalry at 
Kossuth, one regiment of infantry and one company of cavalry 
at Cheuvall, and one regiment of infantry that moved, under 
Colonel Mower, and joined General Rosecrans' command, re- 
duced the number of men of his command, available to the ex- 
pedition, to about 30,000. 

" I had previously ordered the infantry of General Ross' com- 
mand at Bolivar to hold themselves in readiness to move at a 
moment's warning ; had also directed the concentration of cars 
at Jackson to move these troops. 

*' Within twenty-four hours from the time a despatch left Corinth 
for those troops to * come on,' they had arrived — 3,400 in num- 
ber. This, notwithstanding the locomotive was thrown off the 
track on the Mississippi Central Road, preventing the passage 
of other trains for several hours. This force was added to Gen- 
eral Ord's command, making his entire strengtli over 6,000 to 
take into the field. From this force two regiments of infantry 
and one section of artillery were taken, about nine hundred 
men, for the garrison or rear guard, to be held at Burnsville. 
Not having General Ord's report, these figures may not be ac- 
curate. General Rosecrans was moving from Jacinto eastward, 
with about 9,000 men, making my total force with which to 
attack the enemy about 15,000. This was equal to or greater 
than their number, as I estimated them. 

" General Rosecrans, at his suggestion, acquiesced in by me, 
was to move northward from his eastern march in two columns 
— one, under Hamilton, was to move up the Fulton and East- 
port road ; the other, under Stanley, on the Jacinto road from 
Barnett's. 

" On the 18th, General Ord's command was pushed forward, 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 81 

driving in the enemy's pickets and capturing a few prisoners, 
taking position within six miles of luka. I expected, from the 
following despatch, that General Rosecrans would be near 
enough by the night of the 18th to make it safe for Ord to 
press forward on the morning of -the 19th, and bring on an en- 
gagement : 

*' 'September ISth, 1862. 
** ' To General Grant : 

"'One of my spies, in from Reardon's, on the Bay Spring 
Road, tells of a continuous movement, since last Friday, of 
forces eastward. They say Van Dorn is to defend Vicksburg, 
Breckinridge to make his way to Kentucky, Price to attack luka 
or go to Tennessee. If Price's forces are at luka, the plan I 
propose is, to move up as close as we can to-night, conceal our 
movements ; Ord to advance from Burnsville, commence the 
attack, and draw their attention that way, while I move in on 
the Jacinto and Fulton road, and, crushing in their left, cut off 
their retreat eastward. 

" 'I propose to leave, in ten minutes, for .Tacinto, whence I 
will despatch you by line of videttes to Burnsville. Will wait 
a few minutes to hear from you before I start. What news from 
Burnsville ? 

" ' Signed : *' * W. S. Rosecrans, 

" 'Brigadier- General.^ 

" To which I sent the following reply : 

*' ' Head-quarters, District West Tennessee, 
"'Burnsville, Miss., September ISth, 1862. 

" ' General Rosecrans : 

" 'General Ross' command is at this place, McArthur's divi 
sion is north of the road, two miles to the rear, and Davis' 
division south of the road, north. I sent forward two regiments 
of infantry, with cavalry, by the road north of the railroad to- 
ward luka, with instructions for them to bivouac for the night 
at a point, which was designated, about four miles from here, 
if not interrupted, and have the cavalry feel where the enemy 
are. Before they reached the point on the road (you will see it 
on the map — the road north of the railroad), they met what was 
supposed to be Armstrong's cavalry. The rebel cavalry were 
forced back, and I sent instructions there to have them stop for 
the night where they thought they could safely hold. 

"'In the morning troops will advance from here at 4^ a.m. 
An anonymous despatch, just received, states that Price, Ma- 
gruder, and Breckinridge have a force of 60,000 between luka 
and Tupelo. This, I have no doubt, is the understanding of 
citizens, but I very much doubt this information being correct. 
Your reconnoissances prove that there is but little force south 
of Corinth for a long distance, and no great force between Bay 
Spring and the railroad. Make as rapid an advance as you can, 
and let us do to-moirow all we can. It may be necessary to 



82 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

fall back the day following. I look upon the showing of a 
cavalry force so near us as au indication of a retreat, and they 
a force to cover it 

" 'Signed: " ' U. S. Grant, 

" ^ Major- General.* 

"After midnight the following despatch was received : 

" ' Head-quakteks, Encampment, Sept. ISth, 1862. 

" ' General : — Your despatch received. General Stanley's divi- 
sion arrived after dark, having been detained by ialling in the 
rear of Ross through fault of guide. Our cavalry six miles this 
side of Burnett's ; Hamilton's First brigade eight, Second brigade 
nine miles this side ; Stanley's near Davenport's Mills. We shall 
move as early as practicable : say 4^ a.m. This will give twenty 
miles march for Stanley to luka. Shall not, therefore, be in 
before one or two o'clock, but when we come in will endeavor 
to do it strongly. 

" ' Signed : '* ' W. S. Rosf>cRANS, 

^^ 'Brigadier- General U. S. A.* 

"Receiving this despatch, as I did, late at night, and when I 
supposed these troops were far on their way toward luka, and 
had made ray plans accordingly, caused some disappointment, and 
made a change of plans necessary. I immediately despatched 
General Ord, giving him the substance of the above, and direc- 
tions not to move on the enemy until Rosecrans arrived, or he 
should hear firing to the south of luka. Of this change Gen- 
eral Rosecrans was promptly informed by despatch, sent with 
his return messenger. During the day General Ord returned to 
my head-quarters at luka, and, in consultation, we both agreed 
that it would be impossible for General Rosecrans to get his 
troops up in time to make an attack that day. The General 
was instructed, however, to move forward, driving in the enemy's 
advance guards, but not to bring on an engagement unless he 
should hear firing. At night another despatch was received 
from General Rosecrans. dated from Barnett's, about eight miles 
from luka, written at 12.40 p.m., stating that the head of the 
column had arrived there at 12 m. Owing to the density of the 
forests, and the difficulties of passing the small streams and 
bottoms, all communications between General Rosecrans and 
myself had to pass far around — near Jacinto — even after he had 
got on the road leading north. For this reason his communica- 
tion was not received until after the engagement. I did not 
hear of the engagement, however, until the next day, although 
the following despatch had been promptly forwarded : 

" * Head-quarters, Army of the Mississippi, 
'* 'Two miles south of Iuka, Sept. 19tk, 18(32, 10^ p.m. 
'"General: — We met the enemy in just about this point. 
The engagement lasted several hours. We have lost two or 



LIFE OF LIEUTEN'ANT-GENERAL GRANT. 83 

three pieces of artillery. Firing was very heavy. You must 
attack in the morning, and in force. The ground is horrid — 
unknown to us, nnd no room for development — couldn't use 
our artillery at all ; fired but few shots. Push in ou to them 
until we can have time to do something. We will try to get a 
position on our right, which will take luka. 

" * Signed : ^ *" W. S. Roseceans, 

^' 'Brigadier- General, U. S. A.' 

" This despatch was received at 8.35 a.m., on the 20th, and the 
following was immediately sent : 

" ' Burns viLLE, Sept. 20th, 1862, 8.35 a. m. 
** ' Ge-neral Ord: 

" 'Get your troops up and attack as soon as possible. Rose- 
crans had two hours' fighting last night, and now this morning 
again, and, unless you can create a diversion in his favor, he 
may find his hands full. 

" ' Hurry up your troops — all possible. 

"'Signed: "'U.S.Grant, 

' ' 'Major- General. ' 

"The statement that the engagement had commenced again 
in the morning was on the strength of hearing artillery. Gen- 
eral Ord, hearing the same, however, pushed on with all possible 
despatch, without awaiting orders. 

" Two of my staff — Colonels Dickey and Logan — had gone 
around to where Grencral Rosecrans was, and were with him 
during the early part of the engagement. Returning in the 
dark, and endeavoring to cut off some of the distance, they be- 
came lost and entangled in the woods, and remained out over 
night, arriving at head-quarters next morning about the same 
hour that General Rosecrans' messenger arrived. For the 
particular troops engaged, and the part taken by each regiment, 
I will have to refer you entirely to the accompanying report of 
those officers who were present. 

" Not occupying luka afterward for any length of time, and 
then not until a force sufficient to give protection for any great 
distance arrived (the battle was fought about two miles out), I 
cannot accompany this with a topographical map. I send, how- 
ever, a map showing all the roads and plans named in this re- 
port. The country between the road travelled by General Ord's 
command, to some distance south of the railroad, is impassable 
for cavalry, and almost so for infantry. It is impossible for 
artillery to move southward to the road travelled by General 
Rosecrans' command. Soon after despatching General Ord, 
•word was brought by one of my staff, Colonel Hillyer, that the 
enemy were in full retreat. I immediately proceeded to luka, 
and found that the enemy had left during the night, taking 
every thing with them except their wounded, and the artillery 
taken by thera the evening before. Going south by the Fulton 
road, Generals Stanley and Hamilton were in pursuit. 



84 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

" This was the first I knew of the Fulton road ; with it occu- 
pied, no route would have been left them except east, with the 
difficult bottom of Bear creek to cross, or northeast, with the 
Tennessee river in their front, or to conquer their way out. A 
partial examination of the country afterward convinced me, 
however, that troops moving in separate columns by the route 
suggested could not support each other until they arrived near 
luka. On the other hand, an attempt to retreat, according to 
programme, would have brought General Ord, with his force, on 
the rear of the retreating column. 

" For casualties and captures, see accompanying reports. 

"The battle of luka foots up as follows : 

" On the 16th of September we commenced to collect our 
strength to move upon Price, at luka, in two columns ; the one 
to the right of the railroad commanded by Brigadier-General 
(now Major-General) W. S. Rosecrans ; the one to the left 
commanded by Major-General E. 0. C. Ord. On the night of 
the 18th, the latter was in position to bring on an engagement 
in one hour's march. The former, from having a greater dis- 
tance to march, and, through the fault of a guide, was twenty 
miles back. On the 19th, by making a rapid march, hardy, 
well-disciplined, and tried troops arrived within two miles of the 
place to be attacked. Unexpectedly the enemy took the initia- 
tive and became the attacking party. The ground chosen was 
such that a large force on our side could not be brought into 
action ; but the bravery and endurance of those brought in was 
such that, with the skill and presence of mind of the officer 
commanding, they were able to hold their ground till night 
closed the conflict. During the night the enemy fled, leaving 
our troops in possession of the field, with their dead to bury and 
wounded to care for. If it was the object of the enemy to make 
their way into Kentucky, they were defeated in that; if to hold 
their position until Van Dorn could come up on the southwest 
of Corinth, and make a simultaneous attack, they were defeated 
in that. Our only defeat was in not capturing the entire army, 
or in destroying it, as I had hoped to do. 

" It was a part of General Hamilton's command that did the 
fighting, directed entirely by that cool and deserving officer. 1 
commend him to the President for acknowledgment of his 
services. 

"During the absence of these forces from Corinth, that post 
was left in charge of Brigadier-General T. J, McKean. The 
southern front, from Jacinto to Rienzi, was under the charge 
of Colonel DuBois, with a small infantry and cavalry force. 
The service was most satisfactorily performed, Colonel DuBois 
showing great vigilance and efficiency. I was kept constantly 
advised of the movements of flying bodies of cavalry that were 
hovering in our front. 

" The wounded, both friend and enemy, are much indebted to 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 85 

Surgeon J. G. F. Holbrook, Medical Director, for his untiring 
labor in oigaiiiziiig hospitals and providing for their every want, 

"I cannot close this report without paying a tribute to all the 
officers and soldiers comprising this coiiimand. Their conduct 
on the march was exemplary, and all were eager to meet the 
enemy. The possibility of defeat I do not think entered the 
mind of a single individual, and I believe this same feeling now 
pervades the entire army which I have the honor to command. 

" I neglected to mention, in the proper connection, that, to 
cover our movements from Corinth, and to attract the attention 
of the enemy in another direction, I ordered a movement from 
Bolivar toward Holly Springs. This was conducted by Briga- 
dier-General Lauman. 

" Before completing this report the report of Major-General 
Ord was received, and accompanies this. 

" I am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

"U. S. Grant, 
''Major-General.'' 

On the twenty-second of September, 1862, General Grant 
issued the following complimentary order to his victorious 
troops : 

" Head-Quarters. Drpartmrnt of West Tennessee, 
"Corinth, September 22d, 1862. 
["General Field Orders, No. 1.] 

"The General Commanding takes great pleasure in congratu- 
lating the two wings of the army, commanded respectively by 
Major-General Ord and Major-General Rosecrans, upon the 
energy, alacrity, and bravery displayed by them on the 19th and 
20th inst., in their movement against the enemy at luka. 
Although the enemy was in numbers reputed far greater than 
their own, nothing was evinced by the troops but a burning 
desire to meet him, whatever his numbers, and however strong 
his position. 

" With such a disposition as was manifested by the troops on 
this occasion, their commanders need never fear defeat against 
any thing but overwhelming numbers. 

" While it was the fortune of the command of General Rose- 
crans, on the evening of the 19th inst., to engage the enemy in 
a most spirited fight for more than two hours, driving him with 
great loss from his position, and winning for themselves fresh 
laurels, the command of General Ord is entitled to equal credit 
for their efibrts in trying to reach the enemy, and in diverting 
his attention. 

"And while congratulating the noble living, it is meet to offer 
our condolence to the friends of the heroic dead, who offered 



86 LIFE OF LIEUTENAXT-GEXERAL GRANT. 

their lives a sacrifice in defence of constitutional liberty, and in 
their fall rendered memorable the field of luka. 

" By command of ''Major-GtEneral U. S. Grant. 

"John A. Rawlins, A. A.-G." 

THE BATTLE OE CORINTH. 

From Corinth, General Grant removed his head-quarters 
a few days after the battle to Jackson, from which place 
he gave the orders necessary to thwart the plans of the 
rebels, w^ho were again concentrating with a view of act- 
ing upon the offensive, and make a desperate attempt to 
recapture Corinth and other important points, and drive 
our army from Northern Mississippi. 

Frequent reconnoissances had made the Union com- 
mander cognizant of every movement of the enemj^; and 
when early in October they commenced their advance, his 
troops were admirably posted and prepared to meet the 
shock. Before daylight on the morning of the fourth of 
October, the forces under Price, Yan Dorn and Lovell, 
commenced an attack upon the defences at Corinth, but it 
was after nine o'clock before the battle began in earnest. 
General Grant was in telegraphic communication with all 
his subordinate commanders, and was thus enabled to 
promptly move the different divisions of his army from 
point to point as circumstances required. The battle of 
luka was really as much a part of the battle of Corinth as 
South Mountain was of Antietam. The rebel General 
Price had supposed that General Grant would have been 
compelled to withdraw his forces from Corinth on the 
nineteenth of September to reinforce those who were con- 
tending at luka, when Yan Dorn would have attacked 
and captured Corinth, but General Grant was too great a 
strategist not to understand the movement, and frustrated 
the plan by sending General Ord to that point. The 
battle of Corinth really lasted only about two hours, but 
short as was the time, the conflict was of the most san- 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 87 

guinary character. Officers and men alike behaved with 
most distinguished gallantry, and although the enemy 
numbered about forty thousand, and their opponents not 
more than half that number, they were beaten back with 
terrific slaughter, and fled from the field, leaving their 
dead and wounded. The rebel loss in killed, wounded 
and prisoners was nearly ten thousand ; our own not 
much more than one-fifth that enormous aggregate, while 
among other captures we secured nearly four thousand 
stand of arms, two pieces of artillery, and fourteen stand 
of colors. 

The services of his army in this second great battle 
were thus officially recognized by General Grant : 

" Head-Quarters, Department of West Tenn., 
"Jackson, Tenn., October 1th, 1862. 

" It is with heartfelt gratitude the General Commanding con- 
gratulates the armies of tlie West for another great victory won 
by them on the 3d, 4th, and 5th instants, over the combined 
armies of Van Dorn, Price, and Lovell. 

" The enemy chose his own time and plan of attack, and 
knowing the troops of the West as he does, and with great 
facihties for knowing their numbers, never would have made the 
attempt except with a superior force numerically. But for the 
undaunted bravery of officers and soldiers, who have yet to learn 
defeat, the efforts of the enemy must have proven successful. 

" Whilst one division of the army, under Major-General Rose- 
crans, was resisting and repelling the onslaught of the rebel 
hosts at Corinth, another from Bolivar, under Major-General 
Hurlbut, was marching upon the enemy's rear, driving in their 
pickets and cavalry, and attracting the attention of a large force 
of infantry and artillery. On the following day, under Major- 
General Ord, these forces advanced with unsurpassed gallantry, 
driving the enemy back across the Hatchie, over ground where 
it is almost incredible that a superior force should be driven by 
an inferior, capturing two of the batteries (eight guns), many 
hundred small arms, and several hundred prisoners, 

"To those two divisions of the army all praise is due, and will 
be awarded by a grateful country. 

" Between them there should be, and I trust are, the warmest 
bonds of brotherhood. Each was risking life in the same cause, 
and, on this occasion, risking it also to save and assist the other. 
No troops could do more than these separate armies. Each did 
all possible for it to do in the places assigned it. 



88 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

"As in all great battles, so in this, it becomes our fate to 
mourn the loss of many brave and faithful officers and soldiers 
who have given up their lives as a sacrifice for a great principle. 
The nation mourns for them. 

'• By command of " Major-Gexeral U. S. Grant. 

"John A. Eawlins, A. A.-G" 

On the following day the subjoined despatch was pub- 
lished for the information of the troops : 

" Washington, D. C, Odoher Sfh, 1862. 

" Major-General Grant : 

" I congratulate you and all concerned in your recent battles 
and victories. How does it all sum up ? I especially regret 
the death of General Hackleman, and am very anxious to know 
the condition of General Oglesby, who is an intimate personal 
friend. "A. Lincoln. 

" By command of " Major-General U. S. Grant. 

" John A. Rawlins, 

''Assistant A djutant- General." 

After the battle, the rebels were pursued in force about 
forty miles, but their flight was so rapid that it was 
impossible to overtake them, and further pursuit was 
suspended. 

HE ASSUMES COMMAl^D OF THE DEPART- 
MENT OE THE TENNESSEE. 

On the sixteenth of October, 1862, General Grant's 
Department was extended so as to embrace the State of 
Mississippi as far as Yicksburg, and on assuming com- 
mand be issued the following orders : 

" Head-Quarters, Department of the Tennessee, 
" Jackson, Tenn., October 2bth, 1862. 
[''General Orders, No. 1.] 

"I. In compliance with General Orders, No. 1.59, A. G. 0., 
War Department, of date October 16th, 1862, the undersigned 
hereby assumes command of the Department of the Tennessee, 
which includes Cairo, Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, Northern 
Mississippi, and the portions of Kentucky and Tennessee west 
of the Tennessee river. 

" II. Head-quarters of the Department of the Tennessee will 
remain, until further orders, at Jackson, Tennessee. 

" III. All orders of the District of West Tennessee will con- 
tinue in force in the Department. " U. S. Grant, 

''31aJ or- General Commanding.'* 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 89 

"Head-Quarters, Dkpartmknt of the Tennessee, 
"Jackson, Tenn., October 26lh, 1862. 

[''General Orders, No. 2.] 

"I. 'I'he geographical divisions designated in General Orders, 
No. 83, from Head-quarters, District of West Tennessee, dated 
September 24tli, 18G2, will hereafter be known as districts. The 
First Division will constitute the ' District of Memphis,' 
Major-General W. T. Sherman commanding ; the Second 
Division, the ' District of Jackson,' commanded by Major- 
General S. A. Hurlbut; the Third Division, the 'District of 
Corinth,' Brigadier-General 0. S. Hamilton commanding ; the 
Fourth Division, the ' District of Columbus,' commanded by 
Brigadier- General T. A. Davies. 

" II. The army heretofore known as the 'Army of the Missis- 
sippi,' being now divided and in different departments, will be 
continued as a separate army. 

" III. Until army corps are formed, there will be no distinc- 
tion known, except those of departments, districts, divisions, 
posts, briu-ades, regiments and companies. 

'• By command of " Major-General U. S. Grant. 

"John A. Rawlins, A. A.-G." 

On the first of November he issued a lengthy order 
establishing certain important regulations in regard to the 
movement of trains, limiting the allowance of baggage 
and camp equipage, and otherwise placing his army in 
such a condition that it could move in the enemy's country 
with the greatest activity, and not be encumbered with 
long lines of wagons, as has too frequently been the case 
during the progress of the rebellion. 

IMPORTANT RECONNOISSANCES AND SKIR- 
MISHES. 

A day or two before this last order was issued, a large 
body of cavalry had made a successful reconnoissance below 
Ripley, and had occupied that place and Orizaba, and on 
the fourth of November, General Grant, with several divi- 
sions of the army, occupied La Grange, and established 
his head-quarters there. 

On the eighth of November, 18G2, he ordered a force, 
consisting of about ten thousand infantry under command 
of General McPherson, and about fifteen hundred cavalry 



90 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

under Colonel Lee, to make a reconnoissance for the pur- 
pose of ascertaining the exact position of the enemy. 
]S"ear Lamar, a village about twelve miles south of La 
Grange, the cavalry encountered the enemy's pickets, and 
soon afterwards a force of cavalry, whom, after a short 
skirmish, they drove into the hills. One portion of Colonel 
Lee's force was subsequently sent down towards Iludson- 
ville, while he himself, with about seven hundred of his 
men, attacked the rebels and compelled them to retreat, 
leaving their dead and wounded in our hands. For his 
gallant conduct on this and several previous occasions, 
Colonel Lee was recommended by General Grant for pro- 
motion. 

On the ninth of November, stringent orders were issued, 
having for their object the prevention of depredations by 
the troops, and authorizing the stoppage of the pay of en- 
tire divisions for the full amount of damages committed 
by any soldier to whom the act could not be definitely 
traced. On the eleventh of the month the officers of Gen- 
eral Grant's staff w^ere officially announced ; on the four- 
teenth, a camp for the reception of fugitive slaves was 
established at Grand Junction ; two days later, one of the 
provisions of the order of the ninth was enforced, by the 
levy of about twelve hundred dollars upon the Twentieth 
Illinois regiment, to reimburse certain store-keepers for 
property stolen and injured by a portion of the regiment, 
the identity of the actual criminals being undiscovered ; 
and on the nineteenth, an order was promulgated, requiring 
persons, before purchasing cotton or other Southern pro- 
ducts, to have a special permit from the local Provost- 
Marshal ; prohibiting purchasers from going be3^ond the 
lines to trade ; and granting licenses to loyal persons within 
the Department to keep for sale to residents who have 
taken the oath of allegiance, articles " of prime necessity 
for families. " 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 91 



ADVANCE OF THE ARMY-RECONlTOISSA"NCES 
AND SKIRMISHES. 

On the twenty-eighth of November, 1862, a force of 
cavahy and infantry, which had started the day before 
from Helena, Arkansas, under command of Generals A. 
P. Hovey and Washburne, arrived at a point on the Mis- 
sissippi river near the mouth of the Yazoo Pass ; and a 
reconnoitering party was immediately sent out, which cap- 
tured a rebel camp, routed its occupants, and from thence 
moved along the Coldwater and Tallahatchie rivers. An 
expedition was also sent to Garner's Station, where the 
railroad track and bridge w^ere destroyed. Other import- 
ant and equally successful reconuoissances were made 
about the same time. 

On the same day the advance of General Grant's main 
army left Davis's Mills for Holly Springs, and passing 
through the latter place, arrived near Waterford on the thir- 
tieth, when a skirmish took place, resulting in the retreat 
of the enemy within their defences. On the second of 
December, Abbeville was occupied by the Union troops ; 
on the third, several skirmishes occurred near Oxford ; on 
the fourth, the rebels were driven from Water Yalley ; and 
on the fifth, a severe engagement, lasting several hours, 
and which was not attended with the same success w^hich 
had rewarded the gallantry of our troops on the previous 
days, was fought near Coffeeville, Mississippi. On the 
twelfth, the enemy were repulsed near Corinth, but eight 
days later they gained a victory over the garrison at Holly 
Springs, and compelled a surrender. Other towns in the 
rear of General Grant's army were also attacked, but un- 
successfully. The surrender of Holly Springs seriously 
interfered with his plans, and he w^as compelled to fall 
back to that place, from whence he issued the following 
orders : 



92 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

" Head-Quarters, 13th Army Corps, 
"Department of the Tennessee. 
"Holly Sprlvgs, Miss., December 2Uh, 1862. 

" It is with pain and mortification that the General Com- 
manding reflects upon the disgraceful surrender of the place, 
with all the valuable stores it contained, on the 20th inst., and 
that without any resistance except by a few men, who formed 
an honorable exception ; and this, too, after warning had been 
given of the enemy northward, the evening previous. With 
all the cotton, public stores, and substantial buildings about the 
depot it would have been perfectly practical to have made, in a 
few hours, a defence sufficient to resist, with a small garrison, 
all the cavalry force brought against them until the reinforce- 
ments which the commanding officer was notified were marching 
to his relief could have reached him. 

" The conduct of officers and men in accepting paroles, under 
the circumstances, is highly reprehensible, and, to say the least, 
thoughtless. By the terms of the Dix-Hill cartel each party 
is bound to take care of their prisoners and to send them to 
Vicksburg, or a point on the James river, for exchange, or 
parole, unless some other point is mutually agreed upon by the 
generals commanding the opposing armies. 

" By a refusal to be paroled, the enemy, from his inability to 
take care of the prisoners, would have been compelled either to 
have refused them unconditionally or to have abandoned further 
aggressive movements for the time being, which would have 
made their recapture, and the discomfiture of the enemy almost 
certain. 

" The prisoners paroled at this place will be collected in camp 
at once by the post commander, and held under close guard until 
their case can be reported to Washington for further instructions. 

" Commanders throughout the department are directed to 
arrest and hold as above all men of their commands and all 
stragglers who may have accepted their paroles upon like terms. 

"The General Commanding is satisfied that the majority of 
the troops who accepted a parole did so thoughtlessly and from 
want of knowledge of the cartel referred to, and that in future 
they will not be caught in the same way. 

" By order of " Major-General U. S. Grant. 

" JouN A. Kawlins, a A.-G." 

" Head-Quarters, Department of the Tennessee, 
" Holly Springs, Miss., January Sth, 1863. 
" I. The Major-General commanding the department takes 
just pride and satisfaction in congratulating the sm'ill garrisons 
of the posts of Cold water, Davis's Mills, and Middleburg, for 
the heroic defence of their positions on the 20th, 21st, and 24th 
ultimo, and their successful repulse of an enemy many times 
their number. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 93 

" The Ninetieth Illinois, at Coldwater (its first engagement) ; 
the detachment of the veteran Twenty-fifth Indiana, and two 
companies of the Fifth Ohio cavalry, at Davis's Mills ; and the 
detachment of the gallant Twelfth Michigan at Middleburg, are 
deserving of the thanks of the army, which was in a measure 
dependent npon the road they so nobly defended for supplies, 
and they will receive the meed of praise ever awarded by a grate- 
ful public to those who bravely and successfully do their duty. 

" These regiments are entitled to inscribe upon their banners, 
respectively, Coldwater, Davis's Mills, and Middleburg, with 
the names of other battle-fields made victorious by their valor 
and discipline. 

" It is gratifying to know that at every point where our troops 
made a stand during the late raid of the enemy's cavalry, suc- 
cess followed, and the enemy was made to sufi'er a loss in killed 
and wounded greater than the entire garrisons of the places 
attacked. Especially was this the case of Davis's Mills and 
Middleburg. The only success gained by Van Dorn was at 
Holly Springs, where the whole garrison was left by their com- 
mander in ignorance of the approach of danger. 

"II. Colonel R. C. Murphy, of the Eighth Regiment Wisconsin 
infantry volunteers, having, while in command of the post of 
Holly Springs, Mississippi, neglected and failed to exercise the 
usual and ordinary precautions to guard and protect the same ; 
having, after repeated and timely warning of the approach of 
the enemy, failed to make any preparations for resistance or 
defence, or shown any disposition to do so ; and having, with a 
force amply sufficient to have repulsed the enemy and protect 
the public stores intrusted to his care, disgracefully permitted 
him to capture the post and destroy the stores — and the move- 
ment of troops in the face of an enemy rendering it impractica- 
ble to convene a court-martial for his trial — is therefore dis- 
missed the service of the United States — to take effect from the 
20th day of December, 1862, the date of his cowardly and 
disgraceful conduct. 

" By order of " Major-General U. S. Grant. 

"John A. Rawlins, A. A.-G'' 

PREPARATIONS FOR THE ASSAULT ON VICKS- 
BURG— CHANGES IN THE ARMY ORGANI- 
ZATION. 

On the twentieth of December, 1862, General W. T. Sher- 
man left Memphis with a large force, composed entirely of 
Western men, on an expedition towards Vicksburg, and 
on the following day he arrived at Friar's Point, about 
eighteen miles below Helena. A portion of his command 



94: LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

subsequently proceeded to Delhi and Dallas, on the line 
of the Vicksburg and Texas railroad, and removed the 
rails for the purpose of cutting oif the retreat of the enemy ; 
and on the twenty-sixth, his main forces landed at John- 
ston's Landing, near the mouth of the Yazoo, and prepared 
for an immediate assault upon the northern line of works 
at Vicksburg. By an order of the commanding-general, 
the following changes were made in the army organiza- 
tion : — The troops in the Department of the Tennessee, 
including those of the Department of the Missouri operating 
on the Mississippi river, were divided into four army corps, 
as follows : 

" Head-Quarters, Department of the Tennessee, 
"Holly Springs, Miss., Dec. 22nd, 1862. 

" By directions of the General-in-Chief of the army, the troops 
in this department, includin.^ those of the Department of the 
Missouri operating on the Mississippi river, are hereby divided 
into four army corps, as follows : 

" 1. The troops composing the Ninth division, Brigadier- 
General G. W. Morgan commanding ; the 'J'enth division, Briga- 
dier-General A. J. Smith commanding; and all other troops 
operating on the Mississippi river below Memphis, not included 
in the Fifteenth army corps, will constitute the Thirteenth army 
corps, under the command of Major-(ieueral John A. McCler- 
nand. 

"2. The Fifth division, Brigadier-General Morgan L. Smith 
commanding ; the division from Helena, Arkansas, commanded 
by Brigadier-General F. Steele ; and the forces in the ' District 
of Memphis,' will constitute the Fifteenth army corps, and be 
commanded by Major-General W. T. Sherman. 

" 3. The Sixth division, Brigadier-General J. McArthur com- 
manding ; the Seventh division, Brigadier-General I. F. Quiuby 
commanding ; the Eighth division, Brigadier-General L. F. Ross 
commanding ; the Second brigade of cavalry, Colonel A. L. Lee 
commanding ; and the troops in the ' District of Columbus,' com- 
hianded by Brigadier-General Davies, and those in the ' District 
of Jackson,' commanded by Brigadier-General Sullivan, will 
constitute the Sixteenth army corps, and be commanded by 
Major-General S. A. Hurlbut. 

" 4, The First division, Brigadier-General J. W. Denver com- 
manding; the Third division, Brigadier-General John A. Logan 
commanding; the Fourth division, Brigadier-General J. G. Lau- 
mau commanding ; the First brigade of cavalry, Colonel B. H. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 95 

Gricrson commanding ; and the forces in the ' District of Corinth,' 
commanded by Brigadier-General G. M. Dodge, will constitute 
the Seventeenth army corps, and be commanded by Major- 
Geueral J. B, McPherson. 

" District commanders will send consolidated returns of their 
forces to these head-quarters, as well as to the army head-quar- 
ters, and will, for the present, receive orders from Department 
head-quarters. 

" By order of " Major-General U. S, Grant. 

" JouN A. Rawlins, A. A.-G." 

The divisions of Generals McArthur and Quinby were 
subsequently transferred from the Sixteenth to the Seven- 
teenth corps, and those of Generals Denver and Lauman, 
from the Seventeenth to the Sixteenth. 

On the twenty-seventh of December, the " Right Wing of 
the Army of the Tennessee," as General Sherman's com- 
mand was termed, advanced upon the enemy's works, and on 
the following day a general attack was made ; but the 
enemy being reinforced, and the disgraceful surrender of 
Holly Springs having prevented General Grant from 
moving to General Sherman's support as had been ar- 
ranged, the assault was repelled wdth heavy loss, as was 
also the case on the next day, and General Sherman was 
compelled reluctantly to re-embark his troops. 

General McClernand arrived soon afterwards, and rank- 
ing General Sherman, gave orders to that oflBcer to with- 
draw from the Yazoo river. Early in January, 1863, the 
" Right Wing of the Army of the Tennessee" had its title 
changed to that of " The Army of the Mississippi," and 
was divided into two corps — one to be commanded by 
General Sherman, and the other by General G. W. Mor- 
gan. These two corps, a week later, accompanied by 
gunboats, went up the Arkansas and White rivers, and a 
short but severe engagement took place, terminating in 
the fall of the rebel Fort Hindman at Arkansas Post. 
This work accomplished, the corps rejoined General Grant, 
who had bis head-quarters at that time at Memphis. 



96 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

THE WILLIAMS' CANAL-THE QUEEN OF THE 
WEST AND INDIANOLA. 

On the twenty-ninth of January, 1863, a portion of the 
army was landed at Young's Point, Louisiana, where the 
commanding general established his head-quarters, and an- 
other portion at Milliken's Bend, and immediate prepara- 
tions were made for an attack upon Yicksburg. To flank 
the works upon the south side of the city was considered the 
only plan which promised success, and a large force was 
placed at work to re-open the canal across the peninsula, 
on the Louisiana side of the river, first commenced by 
General Williams, a gallant officer, who was subsequently 
killed at Baton Rouge. The work was prosecuted ener- 
getically until the eighth of March, when unfortunately 
the dam at the end of the canal was broken in by the over- 
flow of the river and the enterprise was abandoned. 

Early in February, 1863, the ram Queen of the West, 
under command of Colonel Charles R. Ellet, ran past the 
batteries at Yicksburg, and proceeding up the Red and 
Atchafalaya rivers, destroyed a large amount of valuable 
stores and captured a steamer belonging to the rebels. 
On the evening of the fourteenth, he attacked three rebel 
steamers, but the pilot running the ram aground within 
easy range of the enemy's guns, it became so much dam- 
aged that her commander was compelled to abandon it. 
On the previous night the gunboat Indianola had also 
succeeded in running the gauntlet, but she was destined 
to meet with the fate of her consort, and on the night of 
the twenty-fourth, she was attacked and captured by the 
rebt'l fleet, and her hull so badly injured that she sunk 
before her captors could take possession. 

NEW "CUT-OFFS" PROPOSED— THE YAZOO 
PASS EXPEDITION. 

To deceive the enemy as to his real intentions and at 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 97 

the same time to give a portion of his large force employ- 
ment, General Grant acceded to the request of some of 
his engineers who were desirous of attempting the experi- 
ment of making a canal which would allow the transports 
to pass by Yicksburg without running past the batteries. 
The plan was to connect the Mississippi with Lake Provi- 
dence in Louisiana, from which body of water an easy 
exit could be effected by bayous into the Tensas, and 
from thence into the Black river. The Black river flows 
into the Bed river, and the latter empties into the Missis- 
sippi about fifty miles above Port Hudson. The work 
was carried on with great rapidity until the middle of 
April, when the Mississippi beginning to fall, work was 
suspended and the project abandoned. 

A water route on the other side of the Mississippi was 
also adopted, but although it proved more successful than 
the one to which we have referred, its use was of but 
little subsequent advantage to General Grant except to 
divert the attention of the enemy while he was perfecting 
his programme for the campaign against the rebel strong- 
hold. In the latter part of February, 1863, an expe- 
dition was sent to open this route, which connected the 
Mississippi with the Coldwater and Tallahatchie rivers 
through Yazoo Pass. The total length of the Pass is 
twenty miles, and throughout its entire length it runs 
through a section of country which a visitor describes as 
combining 'Hhe ugliest features of the Dismal Swamp of 
Yirginia, the jungles of India, and the boundless tall 
forests of the John Brown Tract in Western New York." 
The vessels of the expedition however successfully en- 
countered all the obstacles, and steering from the Pass 
into the Coldwater and Tallahatchie, moved down the latter 
stream until they reached Fort Pemberton, a formidable 
rebel work, which was attacked, but as the troops could 
not be made effective on account of the overflowed lands, 



98 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

the assault was discontinued and the expedition with- 
drawn. 

RECONNOISSAKCE OF STEELE'S BAYOU. 

On the morning of the fifteenth of March, 1863, General 
Grant accompanied Admiral Porter on a reconnoissance 
up Steele's Bayou, and soon afterwards General Sherman 
was despatched with a division of the Fifteenth army 
corps to assist in opening this route to a point on the 
Yazoo river between Haines's Bluff and Yazoo city. For 
some days the combined military and naval forces ad- 
vanced through the enemy's country, notwithstanding the 
obstructions which had been placed in the streams. Sev- 
eral skirmishes and engagements were fought, and finally, 
after awaiting a renewal of the attack, which the rebels 
declined to commence, the Union troops, transports and 
gunboats returned to Young's Point, General Grant's head- 
quarters. 

RUNNING THE GAUNTLET— ADVANCE OP 
THE ARMY. 

On the twenty-first of March, 1863, Admiral Farragut's 
flag-ship, the Hartford, which with the Albatross had suc- 
ceeded in running past the batteries at Port Hudson, ar- 
rived below Yicksburg, and the Admiral communicated 
with General Grant. Four days later the Union rams 
Lancaster and Switzerland attempted to pass the Yicks- 
burg batteries, but they were so badly injured by the 
missiles from the rebel guns, that the former was sunk 
and the latter disabled. On the twenty-ninth of March, 
General Grant commenced moving his army down the 
Louisiana shore, the Thirteenth corps taking the advance, 
and followed by the Fifteenth and Seventeenth. The Six- 
teenth corps remnined to see that communication was 
maintained and supplies forwarded. On the thirtieth, the 
town of Richmond, Louisiana, was occupied after two 
hours fighting. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 99 

In accordance with General Grant's plans, Admiral 
Porter prepared to run a number of gunboats and trans- 
ports by the Yicksburg batteries, with a view of co- 
operating with General Grant, and transporting the army 
across the Mississippi. On the night of the sixteenth of 
April, the vessels succeeded in running the gauntlet, and 
a week later several transports loaded with troops also 
accomplished the perilous trip. 

About the same time the First cavalry brigade, under com- 
mand of Colonel (now General) B. H. Grierson, was detailed 
by General Grant to cut all the enemy's communications 
with Yicksburg, an important and hazardous duty which 
was performed with the most brilliant success. Portions 
of the Mobile and Ohio, the Southern and the Jackson 
and New Orleans railroads were destroyed, nine bridges 
were burned, and two locomotives, about two hundred 
cars, three rebel camps and a number of buildings were 
destroyed, and over twelve hundred horses captured. The 
total value of property destroyed was estimated at four 
millions of dollars. Having fulfilled his mission, and 
having routed the enemy wherever encountered. Colonel 
Grierson moved towards Baton Rouge, where he arrived 
on the first of May. 

On the nights of the 16th and 22d of April, 1863, two 
fleets of gunboats and transports ran past the Yicksburg bat- 
teries without receiving any material damage ; and on the 
eighteenth, three regiments of infantry and one of cavalry 
left Memphis, and when near Nonconnah, encountered the 
rebels and whipped them. On the following morning the 
Union cavalry again attacked the rebels, and drove them 
across the Coldwater river in confusion. Both parties 
being subsequently reinforced, the engagement was re- 
newed, and again resulted in the success of the Union 
troops. 

With a view of attaining a position from which he could 



100 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

easily transport his army across the Mississippi, General 
Grant gave the order for an advance movement. At eight 
o'clock on the morning of the twenty-ninth, Admiral Por- 
ter engaged the batteries at Grand Gulf, but finding it im- 
possible to silence them, General Grant changed his plan 
of landing at that point, and selected another site below. 
At an early hour of the evening, the fleet again engaged 
the batteries, and while the bombardment was in progress, 
several of the transports steamed safely by the enemy's 
guns. General Grant during the exciting scene being sta- 
tioned on a tug in the river. 

THE SIEGE OP VICKSBURG— OFFICIAL 
REPORT OF GENERAL GRANT. 

The official report of the commander-in-chief gives such 
an interesting account of the siege of Yicksburg and of the 
movements anterior thereto that we publish it entire. It 
is as follows 

GENERAL GRANT'S OFFICIAL REPORT. 

" Head-Quarters, Department of the Tennessee, 
" Yicksburg, Miss., July 6th, 1863. 

" Colonel : I have the honor to submit the following report 
of the operations of the army of the Tennessee, and co-operating 
forces, from the date of my assuming the immediate command 
of the expedition against Yicksburg, Mississippi, to the reduc- 
tion of that place. 

" From the moment of taking command in person, I became 
satisfied that Yicksburg could only be turned from the south 
side, and, in accordance with this conviction, I prosecuted the 
work on the canal, which had been located by Brigadier-General 
Williams, across the peninsula, on the Louisiana side of the 
river, with all vigor, hoping to make a channel which would pass 
transports for moving the army and carrying supplies to the 
new base of operations thus provided. The task was much more 
herculean than it at first appeared, and was made much more so 
by the almost continuous rains that fell during the whole of the 
time this work was prosecuted. The river, too, continued to 
rise and make a large expenditure of labor necessary to keep the 
water out of our camps and the canal. 

" Finally, on the eighth of March, the rapid rise of the river 
and the consequent great pressure upon the dam across the canal, 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GEiSrERAL GRANT. 101 

near the upper end, at the main Mississippi levee, caused it to give 
away and let through the low lands back of our camps a torrent 
of water that separated the north and south shores of the penin- 
sula as effectually as if the Mississippi flowed between them. 
This occurred when the enterprise promised success within a 
short time. There was some delay in trying to repair damages. 
It was found, however, that with the then stage of water, some 
other plan would have to be adopted for getting below Vicks- 
burg with transports. 

" Captain F. L. Prime, Chief Engineer, and Colonel Gr. G. 
Pride, who was acting on my staff, prospected a route through 
the bayous which run from near Milliken's Bend on the north, 
and New-Carthage on the south, through Roundaway Bayou 
into the Tansas river. Their report of the practicability of this 
route determined me to commence work upon it. Having three 
dredge-boats at the time, the work of opening this route was 
executed with great rapidity. One small steamer and a number 
of barges were taken through the channel thus opened, but the 
river commencing about the middle of April to fall rapidly, and 
the roads becoming passable between Milliken's Bend and New- 
Carthage, made it impracticable and unnecessary to open water 
communication between these points. 

" Soon after commencing the first canal spoken of, I caused a 
channel to be cut from the Mississippi into Lake Providence ; 
also one from the Mississippi river into Coldwater, by way of 
Yazoo Pass. 

" I had no great expectations of important results from the 
former of these, but having more troops than could be employed 
to advantage at Young's Point, and knowing that Lake Provi- 
dence was connected by Baxter Bayou with Bayou Macon, a 
navigable stream through which transports might pass into the 
Mississippi below, through Tansas, Wachita, and Red Rivers, I 
thought it possible that a route might be opened in that direction 
which would enable me to co-operate with General Banks at 
Port Hudson. 

" By the Yazoo Pass route I only expected at first to get into 
the Yazoo by way of Coldwater and Tallahatchie with some 
lighter gunboats and a few troops, and destroy the enemy's 
transports in that stream and some gunboats which I knew he 
was building. The navigation, however, proved so much better 
than had been expected, that I thought for a time of the possi- 
bility of making this the route for obtaining a foothold on the high 
land above Haines' Bluflf, Mississippi, and small-class steamers 
were accordingly ordered for transporting an army that way. 
Major-General J. B. McPherson, commanding Seventeeuth 
army corps, was directed to hold his corps in readiness to move 
by this route ; and one division from each of the Thirteenth and 
Fifteenth corps were collected near the entrance of the Pass to 
be added to his command. It soon became evident that a suffi- 



102 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

cient number of boats of the right class could not be obtaiued 
for the movement of more than one division. 

" While my forces were opening one end of the Pass the 
enemy was diligently closing the other end, and in this way suc- 
ceeded in gaining time to strongly fortify GreenAvood, below the 
junction of the Tallahatchie and Yellobusha. The advance of 
the expedition, consisting of one division of McClernand's 
corps, from Helena, commanded by Brigadier-General L. F. 
Ross, and the Twelfth and Seventeenth regiments Missouri 
infautry, from Sherman's corps, as sharp-shooters on the gun- 
boats, succeeded in reaching Coldwater on the second day of 
March, after much difficulty, and the partial disabling of most 
of the boats. From the entrance into Coldwater to Fort 
Pemberton, at Greenwood, Mississippi, no great difficulty of 
navigation was experienced, nor any interruption of magnitude 
from the enemy. Fort Pemberton extends from the Tallahatchie 
to the Yazoo, at Greenwood. Here the two rivers come within 
a few hundred yards of each other. The land around the Fort 
is low, and at the time of the attack was entirely overflowed. 
Owing to this fact, no movement could be made by th?) army to 
reduce it, but all depended upon the ability of the gunboats 
to silence the guns of the enemy, and enable the transports to 
run down, and land troops immediately on the Fort itself. 
After an engagement of several hours, the gunboats drew off, 
being unable to silence the batteries. Brigadier-General J. F. 
Quinby, commanding a division of McPherson's corps, met the 
expedition under Ross, with his division on its return, near Fort 
Pemberton, on the twenty- first of March, and being the senior, 
assumed the command of the entire expedition, and returned to 
the position Ross had occupied. 

"On the twenty-third day of March, I sent orders for the 
withdrawal of all the forces operating in that direction for the 
purpose of concentrating my army at Milliken's Bend. 

"On the fourteenth day of March, Admiral D. D. Porter, 
commanding Mississippi squadron, informed me that he had 
made a reconnoissance up Steel's Bayou, and partially through 
Black Bayou toward Deer creek, and so far as explored, these 
water-courses were reported navigable for the smaller iron-clads. 
Information, given mostly, I believe, by the negroes of the coun- 
try, was to the effect that Deer creek could be navigated to 
RoUing Fork, and that from there through the Sunflower to the 
Yazoo river there was no question about the navigation. On 
the following morning I accompanied Admiral Porter in the 
ram Price, several iron-clads preceding us, up through Steel's 
Bayou, to near Black Bayou. 

"At this time our forces were at a dead-lock at Greenwood, 
and I looked upon the success of this enterprise as of vast im- 
portance. It would, if successful, leave Greenwood between 
two forces of ours, and would necessarily cause the immediate 
abandonment of that stronghold. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 103 

"About thirty steamers of the enemy would have been de- 
stroyed or fallen into our hands. Seeing that the great obstacle to 
navigation, so far as I had gone, was from overhanging trees, I left 
Admiral Porter near Black Bayou, and pushed back to Young's 
Point for the purpose of sending forward a pioneer corps to 
remove these difficulties. Soon after my return to Young's 
Point, Admiral Porter sent back to me for a co-operating mili- 
tary force. Sherman was promptly sent with one division of 
his corps. The number of steamers suitable for the navigation 
of these bayous being limited, most of the force was sent up 
the Mississippi river to Eagle's Bend, a point where the river 
runs within one mile of Steel's Bayou, thus saving an important 
part of difiBcult navigation. The expedition failed, probably 
more from want of knowledge as to what would be required to 
open this route than from any impracticability in the navigation 
of the streams and bayous through which it was proposed to 
pass. Want of this knowledge led the expedition on until diffi- 
culties were encountered, and then it would become necessary 
to send back to Young's Point for the means of removing them. 
This gave the enemy time to move forces to effectually check- 
mate further progress, and the expedition was withdrawn when 
within a few hundred yards of free and open navigation to the 
Yazoo. 

"All this may have been providential in driving us ultimately 
to a line of operations which has proven eminently successful. 

*' For further particulars of the Steel's Bayou expedition, see 
report of Major-General W. P. Sherman, forwarded on the 
twelfth of April. 

"As soon as I decided to open water communication from a 
point on the Mississippi near Milliken's Bend to New Carthage, 
I determined to occupy the latter place, it being the first point 
below Vicksburg that could be reached by land at the stage of 
water then existing, and the occupancy of which, while it 
secured to us a point on the Mississippi river, would also pro- 
tect the main line of communication by water. Accordingly, 
the Thirteenth army corps, Major-General J. A. McClernand 
commanding, was directed to take up the line of march on the 
twenty-ninth day of March for New-Carthage, the Fifteenth 
and Seventeeth corps to follow, moving no faster than supplies 
and ammunition could be transported to them. 

" The roads, though level, were intolerably bad, and the move- 
ment was therefore necessarily slow. Arriving at Smith's plan- 
tation, two miles from New-Carthage, it was found that the 
levee of Bayou Vidal was broken in several places, thus leaving 
New-Carthage an island. 

"All the boats that could be were collected from the different 
bayous in the vicinity, and others were built, but the transpor- 
tation of an army in this way was found exceedingly tedious. 
Another route had to be found. This was done by making a 



104: LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

further march around Vidal to Perkins's plantation, a distance 
of twelve miles more, making the whole distance to be marched 
from Millikeu's Bend to reach water commuuication on the 
opposite side of the point, thirty-five miles. Over this distance, 
with bad roads to contend against, supplies of ordnance stores 
and provisions had to be hauled by wagons with which to com- 
mence the campaign on the opposite side of the river. 

"At the same time that I ordered the occupation of New- 
Carthage, preparations were made for running transports by the 
Vicksburg batteries with Admiral Porter's gunboat fleet. 

" On the night of the sixteenth of April, Admiral Porter's 
fleet, and the transports Silver Wave, Forest Queen, and Henry 
Clay, ran the Vicksburg batteries. The boilers of the trans- 
ports were protected as well as possible with hay and cotton. 
More or less commissary stores were put on each. All three of 
these boats were struck more or less frequently while passing the 
enemy's batteries, and the Henry Clay, by the explosion of a 
shell or by other means, was set on fire and entirely consumed. 
The other two boats were somewhat injured, but not seriously 
disabled. No one on board of either was hurt. 

"As these boats succeeded in getting by so well, I ordered 
six more to be prepared in like manner for running the batteries. 
These latter, namely. Tigress, Anglo-Saxon, Cheeseman, Empire 
City, Horizonia, and Moderator, left Milliken's Bend on the 
night of the twenty-second of April, and five of them 
got by, but in somewhat damaged condition. The Tigress 
received a shot in her hull below the water-line, and sur.k on the 
Louisiana shore soon after passing the last of the batteries. 
The crews of these steamers, with the exception of that of the 
Forest Queen, Captain D. Conway, and the Silver Wave, Cap- 
tain McMillan, were composed of volunteers from the army. 
Upon the call for volunteers for this dangerous enterprise, 
officers and men presented themselves by hundreds, anxious to 
undertake the trip. The names of those whose services were 
accepted will be given in a separate report. 

*' It is a striking feature, so far as my observation goes, of the 
present volunteer army of the United States, that there is noth- 
ing which men are called upon to do, mechanical or professional, 
that accomplished adepts cannot be found for the duty required 
in almost every regiment. 

" The transports injured in running the blockade were re- 
paired by order of Admiral Porter, who was supplied with the 
material for such repairs as they required, and who was and is 
ever ready to afford all the assistance in his power for the 
furtherance of the success of our arms. In a very short time 
five of the transports were in running order, and the remainder 
were in a condition to be used as barges in the movement of 
troops. Twelve barges loaded with forage and rations were sent 
in tow of the last six boats that ran the blockade ; one-half of 
them got through in a condition to be used. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 105 

" Owing to the limited number of transports below Vicks- 
burg, it was found necessary to extend our linu of land travel 
to Hard Times, La., which, by the circuitous route it was 
necessary to take, increased the distance to about seventy miles 
from Miliiken's Bend, our starting-point. 

" The Thirteenth army corps being all through to the Missis- 
sippi, and the Seventeenth army corps well on the way, so much of 
the Thirteenth as could be got on board the transports and barges 
were put aboard and moved to the front of Grand Gulf on the 
twenty-ninth of April. The plan here was that the navy should 
silence the guns of the enemy, and the troops land under cover 
of the gunboats, and carry the place by storm. 

"At eight o'clock a.m., the navy made the attack, and kept it 
up for more than five hours in the most gallant manner. From 
a tug out in the stream I witnessed the whole engagement. 
Many times it seemed to me the gunboats were within pistol-shot 
of the enemy's batteries. It soon became evident that the guns 
of the enemy were too elevated and their fortifications too strong 
to be taken from the water-side. The whole range of hills on 
that side were known to be lined with rifle-pits ; besides, the field 
artillery could be moved to any position wliere it could be made 
useful in case of an attempt at landing. This determined me to 
again run the enemy's batteries, turn his position by effecting a 
landing at Rodney, or at Bruinsburg, between Grand Gulf and 
Rodney. Accordingly, orders were immediately given for the 
troops to debark at Hard Times, La., and march across to 
the plain immediately below Grand Gulf. At dark the gunboats 
again engaged the batteries, and all the transports ran by, 
receiving but two or three shots in the passage, and these with- 
out injury. I had some time previously ordered a reconnois- 
sance to a point opposite Bruinsburg, to ascertain, if possible, 
from persons in the neighborhood, the character of the road 
leading to the highlands back of Bruinsburg. During the 
night I learned from a negro man that there was a good road 
from Bruinsburg to Port Gibson, which determined me to land 
there. 

" The work of ferrying the troops to Bruinsburg was com- 
menced at daylight in the morning, the gunboats as well as 
transports being used for the purpose. 

"As soon as the Thirteenth army corps was landed, and could 
draw three days' rations to put in haversacks (no wagons were 
allowed to cross until the troops were all over), they were 
started on the road to Port Gibson. I deemed it a matter of 
vast importance that the highlands should be reached without 
resistance. 

" The Seventeenth corps followed as rapidly as it could be 
put across the river. 

"About two o'clock on the first of May, the advance of the 
enemy was met eight miles from Bruinsburg, on the road to 



106 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

Port Gibson. He was forced to fall back, but as it was dark, 
be was not pursued far until daylight. Early on the morning 
of the tirsL I went out, accunipauied by members of my stati', 
aud found McClernand with his corps engaging the enemy about 
four miles from Port Gibson. At this point the roads branched 
in exactly opposite directions, both, however, leading to Port 
Gibson. The enemy had taken position on both branches, thus 
dividing, as he fell back, the pursuing forces. 'J'he nature of 
the ground in that part of the country is such that a very small 
force could retard the progress of a much larger one for many 
hours. The roads usually run on narrow, elevated ridges, with 
deep and impenetrable ravines on either side. On the right 
were the divisions of Hovey, Carr, and Smith, and on the left, 
the division of Osterhaus of McClernand's corps. The three 
former succeeded in driving the enemy from position to position 
back toward Port Gibson steadily all day. 

" Osterhaus did not, however, move the enemy from the posi- 
tion occupied by him on our lef't until Logan's division of Mc- 
Pherson's corps arrived. 

" McClernand, who was with the right in person, sent re- 
peated messages to me before the arrival of Logan to send 
Logan aud Quinby's division of McPhersou's corps to him. 

"I had been on that a*s well as all other parts of the field, 
and could not see how they could be used there to advantage. 
However, as soon as the advance of McPhersou's corps (Lo- 
gan's division) arrived, I sent one brigade, Brigadier-General J. 
E. Smith commanding, to the left to the assistance of 
Osterhaus. 

"By the judicious disposition made of this brigade, under the 
immediate supervision of McPherson and Logan, a position was 
soon obtained giving us an advantage which soon drove the 
enemy from that part of the field, to make no further stand 
south of Bayou Pierre. 

" The enemy was here repulsed with heavy loss in killed, 
wounded, and prisoners. The repulse of the enemy on our left 
took place late in the afternoon. He was pursued toward Port 
Gibson, but night closing in, and the enemy making the appear- 
ance of another stand, the troops slept upon their arms until 
daylight. 

" In the morning it was found that the enemy had retreated 
across Bayou Pierre, on the Grand Gulf road, and a brigade of 
Logan's division was sent to divert his attention while a floating 
bi'idge was being built across Bayou Pierre, immediately at Port 
Gibson. This bridge was completed, eight miles marched by 
McPhersou's corps to the north fork of Bayou Pierre, that 
stream bridged, and the advance of this corps commenced pass- 
ing over it at five o'clock the following morning. 

" On the third the enemy was pursued to Hawkinson's Ferry, 
with slight skirmishing all day, during which we took quite a 
number of prisoners, mostly stragglers from the enemy. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENAXT-GENERAL GKANT. 107 

" Finding that Grand Gulf had been evacuated, and that the 
advance of my forces was already fifteen miles out from there, 
and on the road, too, they would have to take to reach either 
Yicksburg', Jackson, or any intermediate point on the railroad 
between the two places, I determined not to march them back, 
but taking a small escort of cavalry, some fifteen or twenty 
men, I went to the Gulf myself, and made the necessary arrange- 
ments for changing my base of supplies from Bruinsburg to 
Grand Gulf. 

" In moving from Milliken's Bend, the Fifteenth army corps, 
Major-General W. T. Sherman commanding, was left to be the 
last to start. To prevent heavy reinforcements going from 
Vicksburg to the assistance of the Grand Gulf forces, I di- 
rected Sherman to make a demonstration on Haines's Bluff, and 
to make all the show possible. From information since received 
from prisoners captured, this 7'use succeeded admirably. 

" It had been my intention, up to the time of crossing the 
Mississippi river, to collect all my forces at Grand Gulf, and 
get on hand a good supply of provisions and ordnance stores 
before moving, and, in the meantime, to detach an army corps 
to co-operate with General Banks on Port Hudson, and effect a 
junction of our forces. 

"About this time, I received a letter from General Banks 
giving his position west of the Mississippi river, and stating 
that he could return to Baton Rouge by the tenth of May ; that 
by the reduction of Port Hudson he could join me with twelve 
thousand men. 

" I learned about the same time, that troops were expected at 
Jackson from the Southern cities, with General Beauregard in 
command. To delay until the tenth of May, and for the reduc- 
tion of Port Hudson after that, the accession of twelve thousand 
men would not leave me relatively so strong as to move promptly 
with what I had. Information received from day to day of the 
movements of the enemy also impelled me to the course pur- 
sued. While lying at Hawkinson's Ferry, waiting for wagons, 
supplies, and Sherman's corps, which had come forward in the 
meantime, demonstrations were made, successfully, I believe, to 
induce the enemy to think that route, and the one by Hall's 
Ferry above, were objects of much solicitude to me. Recon- 
noissances were made to the west side of the Big Black to 
within six miles of Warrenton. On the 7th of May an ad- 
vance was ordered, McPherson's corps keeping the road nearest 
Black river to Rocky Springs, McClernand's corps keeping. the 
ridge road from Willow Springs, and Sherman following with 
his corps divided on the two roads. All the ferries were closely 
guarded until our troops were well advanced. It was my intention 
here to hug the Black river as closely as possible with McCler- 
nand's and Sherman's corps, and get them to the railroad, afc 
some place between Edward's Station and Bolton. McPhersoa 



108 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

was to move by way of Utica to Raymond, and from thence into 
Jackson, destroying tbe railroad, telegraph, public stores, etc., 
and push west to rejoin the main force. Orders were given to 
McPherson accordingly. Sherman was moved forward on the 
Edward's Station road, crossing Fourteen Mile creek at Dillon's 
plantation ; McCleruand was moved across the same creek, fur- 
ther west, sending one division of his corps by the Baldwin's 
Ferry road as far as the river. At the crossing of Fourteen 
Mile creek, both McClernand and Sherman had considerable 
skirmishing with the enemy to get possession of the crossing. 

" McPherson met the enemy near Raymond two brigades 
strong, under G-regg and Walker, on the same day engaged 
him, and after several hours' hard fighting, drove him with heavy 
loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners. Many threw down their 
arms and deserted. 

" My position at this time was with Sherman's corps, some 
seven miles west of Raymond, and about the centre of the army. 

"On the night of the twelfth of May, after orders had been 
given for the corps of McClernand and Sherman to march to- 
ward the railroad by parallel roads — the former in the direction 
of Edward's Station, and the latter to a point on the railroad 
between Edward's Station and Bolton--the order was changed, 
and both were directed to move toward Raymond. 

" This was in consequence of the enemy having retreated to- 
ward Jackson after his defeat at Raymond, and of information 
that reinforcements were daily arriving at Jackson, and that 
General Joe Johnston was hourly expected there to take com- 
mand in person. I, therefore, determined to make sure of that 
place, and leave no enemy in my rear. 

" McPherson moved on the thirteenth to Clinton, destroyed 
the railroad and telegraph, and captured some important 
despatches from General Pemberton to General Gregg, who 
had commanded the day before in the battle of Raymond. 
Sherman moved to a parallel position on the Mississippi 
Springs and Jackson road ; McClernand moved to a point near 
Raymond. 

" The next day Sherman and McPherson moved their entire 
forces toward Jackson. The rain fell in torrents all the night 
before, and continued until about noon of that day, making the 
roads at first slippery and then miry. Notwithstanding this, the 
troops marched in excellent order without straggling and in the 
best of spirits, about fourteen miles, and engaged the enemy 
about twelve o'clock m., near Jackson. McClernand occupied 
Clinton with one division, Mississippi Springs with another, 
Raymond with a third, and had Blair's division of Sherman's 
corps, with a wagon train, still in the rear near New- Auburn, 
while McArthur, with one brigade of his division, of McPher- 
son's corps, was moving toward Raymond on the Utica road. It 
was not the intention to move these forces any nearer Jackson, 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 109 

but to have them in a position where they would be in support- 
ing distance, if the resistance at Jackson should prove more 
obstinate than there seemed reason to expect. 

" Tiie enemy marched out the bulk of his force on the Clinton 
road, and engaged McPherson's corps about two and a half 
miles from the city. A small force of artillery and infantry 
took a strong position in front of Sherman, about the same dis- 
tance out. By a determined advance of our skirmishers these 
latter were soon driven within their rifle-pits just outside the 
city. It was impossible to ascertain the strength of the enemy 
at this part of the line in time to justify an immediate assault ; 
consequently, McPherson's two divisions engaged the main 
bulk of the rebel garrison at Jackson without further aid than 
the moral support given them by the knowledge the enemy had 
of a force to the south side of the city, and the few infantry and 
artillery of the enemy posted there to impede Sherman's pro- 
gress. Sherman soon discovered the weakness of the enemy 
by sending a reconnoitering party to his right, which also had 
the effect of causing the enemy to retreat from this part of his 
line. A few of the artillerists, however, remained in their 
places, firing upon Sherman's troops until the last moment, 
evidently instructed to do so, with the expectation of being 
captured in the end. On entering the city it was found that the 
main body of the enemy had retreated north, after a heavy en- 
gagement of more than two hours with McPherson's corps, in 
which he was badly beaten. He was pursued until near night, 
but without further damage to him. 

** During that evening I learned that General Johnston, as 
soon as he had satisfied himself that Jackson was to be attacked, 
had ordered Pemberton peremptorily to march out from the 
direction of Yicksburg and attack our rear. Availing myself 
of this information, I immediately issued orders to McClernand 
and Blair, of Sherman's corps, to face their troops toward 
Bolton, with a view to reaching Edward's Station, marching on 
different roads converging near Bolton. These troops were ad- 
mirably located for such a move. McPherson was ordered to 
retrace his steps early in the morning of the fifteenth on the 
Clinton road. Sherman was left in Jackson to destroy the rail- 
roads, bridges, factories, workshops, arsenals, and every thing 
valuable for the support of the enemy. This was accomplished 
in the most effectual manner. 

" On the afternoon of the fifteenth I proceeded as far west as 
Clinton, through which place McPherson's corps passed to 
within supporting distance of Hovey's division, of McCler- 
uand's corps, which had moved that day on the same road to 
within one and half miles of Bolton. On reaching Clinton, at 
forty-five minutes past four p.m., I ordered McClernand to move 
his command early the next morning toward Edward's Depot, 
marching so as to feel the enemy, if he encountered him, but 
7 



110 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

not to bring on a general engagement unless he was confident 
he was able to defeat him ; and also to order Blair to move 
with him. 

"About five o'clock on the morning of the sixteenth, two men, 
employees on the Jackson and Vicksburg railroad, who had 
passed through Pemberton's army the night before, were 
brought to my head-quarters. They stated Pemberton's force 
to consist of about eighty regiments, with ten batteries of ar- 
tillery, and that the whole force was estimated by the enemy at 
about twenty-five thousand men. From them I also learned the 
positions being taken up by the enemy, and his intention of at- 
tacking our rear. I had determined to leave one division of 
Sherman's corps one day longer in Jackson, but this information 
determined me to bring his entire command up at once, and I ac- 
cordingly despatched him, at half-past five a.m., to move with all 
possible speed until he came up with the main force near Bolton. 
My despatch reached him at ten minutes past seven a.m., and 
his advance division was in motion in one hour from that time. 
A despatch was sent to Blair, at the same time, to push forward 
his division in the direction of Edward's Station with all possi- 
ble despatch. McCleruand was directed to establish communi- 
cation between Blair and Osterhaus, of his corps, and keep it 
up, moving the former to the support of the latter. McPherson 
was ordered forward, at forty-five minutes past five a.m., to join 
McClernand, and Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, of my staff, was 
sent forward to communicate the information received, and with 
verbal instructions to McClernand as to the disposition of his 
forces. At an early hour I left for the advance, and on arriviiig 
at the crossing of the Vicksburg and Jackson railroad with the 
road from Raymond to Bolton, I found McPherson's advance 
and his pioneer corps engaged in rebuilding a bridge on the 
former road that had been destroyed by the cavalry of Oster- 
haus's division that had gone into Bolton the iiiglit before. The 
train of Hovey's division was at a halt, and blocked up the road 
from further advance on the Vicksburg road. I ordered all 
quartermasters and wagon-masters to draw their teams to one 
side, and make room for the passage of troops. McPherson 
was brought up by this road. Passing to the front, I found 
Hovey's division of the Thirteenth army corps at a halt, with 
our skirmishers and the enemy's pickets near each other. Elovey 
was bringing the troops into line, ready for battle, and could have 
brought on an engagement at any moment. The enemy had 
taken up a very strong position on a narrow ridge, his left rest- 
ing on a height where the road makes a sharp turn to the left 
approaching Vicksburg. The top of the ridge and the pre- 
cipitous hillside to the left of the road are covered by a dense 
forest and undergrowth. To the right of the road the timber 
extends a short distance down the hill, and then opens into 
cultivated fields on a gentle slope and into a valley extending 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, 111 

for a considerable distance. On the road and into the v/ooded 
ravine and hillside Plovcy's division was disposed for the attack. 
McPhersou's two divisions — all of his corps with him on the 
march from Milliken's Bend (until Ransom's brigade arrived 
that day after the battle) — were thrown to the right of the road, 
properly speaking, the enemy's rear. But I would not permit 
an attack to be commenced by our troops until I could hear 
from McClernand, who was advancing v;it.h four divisions, two 
of them on a road intersecting the Jackson road about one mile 
from where the troops above described w^ere placed, and about 
the centre of the enemy's line ; the other two divisions on a road 
still north and nearly the same distance off. 

" I soon heard from McClernand through members of his staff 
and my own whom I had sent to him early in the morning, and 
found that by the nearest practicable route of communication 
he was two and a half miles distant. I sent several successive 
messages to him to push forward with all rapidity. There h t'l 
been continuous firing between Hovey's skirmishers and the 
rebel advance, which, by eleven o'clock, grew into a battle. 
For some time this division bore the brunt of the conflict; but 
finding the enemy too strong for them, at the instance of 
Hovey, I directed first one and then a second brigade from 
Crocker's division to reinforce him. All this time Logan's divi- 
sion was working upon the enemy's left and rear, and weakened 
his front attack most wonderfully. The troops here opposing 
lis evidently far outnumbered ours. Expecting McClernand 
momentarily, with four divisions, including Blair's, I never felt 
a doubt of the result. He did not arrive, however, until the 
enemy bad been driven from the field, after a terrible contest of 
hours, with a heavy loss of killed, wounded, and prisoners, and 
a number of pieces of artillery. It was found afterward that 
the Vicksburg road, after following the ridge in a southerly 
direction for about one mile and to where it intersected one of 
the Raymond roads, turns almost to the west, down the hill and 
across the valley in which Logan was operating on the rear of 
the enemy. One brigade of Logan's division had, unconscious 
of this important fact, penetrated nearly to this road, and com- 
pelled the enemy to retreat to prevent capture. As it was, much 
of his artillery and Loring's division of his army was cut off, be- 
side the prisoners captured. On the call of Hovey for more 
reinforcements, just before the rout of the enemy commenced, i 
ordered McPherson to move what troops he could by a left flank 
around to the enemy's front. Logan rode up at this time and 
told me that if Hovey could make another dash at the enemy he 
could come up from where he then was and capture the greater 
part of their force. I immediately rode forward and found the 
troops that had been so gallantly engaged for so many hours 
withdrawn from their advanced position and were filling their 
cartridge boxes. I desired them to use all despatch and push 



112 LIFE OF LIEUTENAXT-QENERAL GRANT. 

forward as soon as possible, explaining to them the position of 
Logan's divi.sioa. Proceeding still further forward, expecting 
every moment to see the enemy., and reaching what had. been 
his line, I found he was retreating. Arriving at the Raymond 
road, I saw to my left and on the next ridge a column of .troops 
which proved to be Carr's division and McClernand with it in 
person ; and to the left of Carr, Osterhaus's division soon after- 
ward appeared with his skirmishers well in advance. 1 sent 
word to Osterhaus that the enemy was in full retreat, j^.nd to 
push up with all haste. The situation was soon explained,', after 
which I ordered Carr to pursue with all speed to Black riv^er and 
across it if he could, and to Osterhaus to follow. Some of 
McPherson's troops had already got into the road in advance, 
but having marched and engaged the enemy all day, thej were 
fatigued and gave the road to Carr, who continued the pursuit 
until after dark, capturing a train of cars loaded with commissary 
and ordnance stores and other property. 

*' The delay in the advance of the troops immediately with 
McClernand w\as caused, no doubt, by the enemy presenting a 
front of artillery and infantry, where it was impossible, from the 
nature of the ground and the density of the forest, to discover his 
numbers. As it was, the battle of Champion's Hill, or Baker's 
Creek, was fought mainly by Hovey's division of McClernand's 
corps, and Logan's and Quinby's division (the latter commanded 
by Brigadier-General M. M. Crocker) of McPherson's corps, 

" Ransom's brigade, of McPherson's corps, came on to the 
field where the main battle had been fought immediately after 
the enemy had begun his retreat. 

" Word was sent to Sherman, at Bolton, of the result of the 
day's engagement, with directions to turn his corps toward 
Bridgeport ; and to Blair to join him at this latter place. 

" At daylight, on the seventeenth, the pursuit was renewed, 
with McClernand's corps in the advance. The enemy was found 
strongly posted on both sides of the Black river. At this point 
on Black river the bluffs extend to the water's edge on the 
west bank. On the east side is an open, cultivated bottom of 
near one mile in width, surrounded by a bayou of stagnant water, 
from two to three feet in depth, and from ten to twenty feet in 
width, from the river above the railroad to the river below. Fol- 
lowing the inside line of the bayou the enemy had constructed 
rifle-pits, with the bayou to serve as a ditch on the outside and 
immediately in front of them. Carr's division occupied the right 
in investing this place, and Lawler's brigade the right of his 
division. After a few hours' skirmishing. Lawler discovered 
that by moving a portion of his brigade under cover of the river 
bank, he could get a position from which that place could be 
successfully assaulted, and ordered a charge accordingly. Not- 
withstanding the level ground over which a portion of his troops 
bad to pass without cover, and the great obstacle of the ditch 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 113 

in front of the enemy's works, the charge was gallantly and suc- 
cessfully made, and in a few minutes the entire garrison with 
seventeen pieces of artillery were the trophies of this brilliant 
and daring movement. The enemy on the west bank of the 
river immediately set fire to the railroad bridge and retreated, 
thus cutting off all chance of escape for any portion of his forces 
remaining on the east bank. 

" Sherman, by this time, had reached Bridgeport, on Black 
river above. 'J'he only pontoon train with the expedition was 
with him. By the morning of the eighteenth he had crossed 
the river, and was ready to march on Walnut Hills. McCler- 
nand and McPherson built floating bridges during the night, 
and had them ready for crossing their commands by eight a.m. 
of the eighteenth. 

"The march was commenced by Sherman at an early hour by 
the Bridgeport and Vicksburg road, turning to the right when 
within three and a half miles of Vicksburg, to get possession of 
Walnut Hills and Yazoo river. This was successfully accom- 
plished before the night of the eighteenth. McPherson crossed 
Black river above the Jackson road, and came into the same road 
with Sherman, but to his rear. He arrived after nightfall with 
his advance to where Sherman turned to the right. McCler- 
nand moved by the Jackson and Vicksburg road to Mount Al- 
bans, and there turned to the left to get into Baldwin's Ferry 
road. By this disposition the three army corps covered all the 
ground their strength would admit of, and by the morning of the 
nineteenth, the investment of Vicksburg was made as complete 
as could be by the forces under my command. 

" During the day there was continuous skirmishing, and I was 
not without hope of carrying the enemy's works. Relying upon 
the demoralization of the enemy in consequence of repeated de- 
feats outside of Vicksburg, I ordered a general assault at two 
P.M. on this day. 

" The Fifteenth army corps, from having arrived in front of 
the enemy's works in time on the eighteenth to get a good posi- 
tion, were enabled to make a vigorous assault. The Thirteenth 
and Seventeenth corps succeeded no further than to gain ad- 
vanced positions, covered from the fire of the enemy. The 
twentieth and twenty-first were spent in perfecting communica- 
tions with our supplies. Most of the troops had been marching 
and fighting battles for twenty days, on an average of about five 
days' rations, drawn from the commissary department. Though 
they had not suffered from short rations up to this time, the want 
of bread to accompany the other rations was beginning to be 
much felt. On the twenty-first my arrangements for drawing 
supplies of every description being complete, I determined to 
make another effort to carry Vicksburg by assault. There were 
many reasons to determine me to adopt this course. I believed 
au assault from the position gained by this time could be made 



114 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

successfully. It was known that Johnston was at Canton with 
the force taken by him from Jackson, reinforced by other troops 
from the east, and that more were daily reaching him. Wiih 
the force I had, a short time must have enabled him to attack 
me in the rear, and possibly succeeded in raising the siege. 
Possession of Yicksburg at that time would have enabled me 
to have turned upon Johnston and driven him from the State, 
and possess myself of all the railroads and practical military 
highways, thus effectually securing to ourselves all territory 
west of the Tombigbee, and this before the season was too far 
advanced for campaigning in this latitude. I would have saved 
Government sending large reinforcements, much needed else- 
where ; and, finally, the troops themselves were impatient to 
possess Vicksburg, and v^ould not have worked in the trenches 
with the same zeal, believing it unnecessary, that they did after 
their failure to carry the enemy's works. Accordingly on the 
twenty-first orders were issued for a general assault on the 
whole line, to commence at ten a.m. on the twenty-second. All 
the corps commanders set their time by mine, that there should 
be no difference between them in movement of assault. Promptly 
at the hour designated, the three army corps, then in front of the 
enemy's works, commenced the assault. 1 had taken a com- 
manding position near McPhcrson's front, and from which I 
could see all the advancing columns from his corps, and a part 
of each of Sherman's and McClernaud's. A portion of the 
commands of each succeeded in planting their flags on the outer 
slopes of the enemy's bastions, and maintained them there until 
night. Each corps had many more men than could possibly be 
used in the assault, over such ground as intervened between 
them and the enemy. More men could only avail in case of 
breaking through the enemy's line, or in repelling a sortie. The 
assault was gallant in the extreme on the part of all the troops, 
but the enemy's position was too strong, both naturally and 
artificially, to be taken in that way. At every point assaulted, 
and at all of them at the same time, the enemy was able to 
show all the force his works could cover. The assault failed, I 
regret to say, with much loss on our side in killed and wounded ; 
but without weakening the confidence of the troops in their 
ability to ultimately succeed. 

" No troops succeeded in entering any of the enemy's works, 
with the exception of Sergeant Grifiith, of the Twenty-first 
Iowa volunteers, and some eleven privates of the same regi- 
ment. Of these, none returned except the Sergeant and, pos- 
sibly, one man. The work entered by him, from its position, 
could give us no practical advantage, unless others to the right 
and left of it were carried and held at the same time. 

"About twelve m., I received a despatch from McClernand, 
that he was hard pressed at several points; in reply to which I 
directed him to reinforce the points hard pressed from such 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 115 

troops as he had that were cot engaged. I then rode round to 
Sherman, and had just reached there, when I received a second 
despatch from McClernand, stating positively and unequivocally 
that he was in possession of and still held two of the enemy's 
forts ; that the American tlag then waved over them ; and ask- 
ing me to have Sherman and McPherson make a diversion in 
his favor. This despatch I showed to Sherman, who imme- 
diately ordered a renewal of the assault on his front. I also sent 
an answer to McClernand, directing him to order up McArthur 
to his assistance, and started immediately to the position I had 
just left, on McPherson's line, to convey to him the information 
from McClernand by this last despatch, that he might make the 
diversion requested. Before reaching McPherson I met a mes- 
senger with a third despatch from McClernand, of which the 
following is a copy : 

"'Head-quarters, Thirteenth Army Corps 
" ' In the Field, near Vicksburg, Miss., May 22d, 1863. 
" ' General : We have gained the enemy's intrenchments at 
several points, but are brought to a stand. I have sent word to 
McArthur to reinforce me if he can. Would it not be best to 
concentrate the whole or a part of his command on this point ? 

" ' John A. McClernand, 
^^ 'Major-General Commanding. 
" * Major-General U. S. Grant.' 

" ' P.S. — I have just received your despatch. My troops are all 
engaged, and I cannot withdraw any to reinforce others. 

'"McC 

" The position occupied by me during most of the time 
of the assault gave me a better opportunity of seeing what 
was going on in front of the Thirteenth army corps than I be- 
lieved it possible for the commander of it to have. I could not 
see his possession of forts, nor necessity for reinforcements, as 
represented in his despatches, up to the time I left it, which was 
between twelve m., and one p.m., and I expressed doubts of their 
correctness, which doubt the facts subsequently, but too late, 
confirmed. At the time I could not disregard his reiterated 
statements, for they might possibly be true ; and that no possi- 
ble opportunity of carrying the enemy's stronghold should be 
allowed to escape through fault of mine, I ordered Quinby'a 
division, which was all of McPherson's corps then present, but 
four brigades, to report to McClernand, and notify him of the 
order. I showed hisj despatches to McPherson, as I had to 
Sherman, to satisfy him of the necessity of an active diversion 
on their part to hold as much force in their fronts as possible. 
The diversion was promptly and vigorously made, and resulted 
in the increase of our mortality list full fifty per cent., without 
advancing our position or giving us other advantages. 

"About half-past three p.m., I received McClernand's fourth 
despatch, as follows : 



116 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

. " ' Head-Quarters, Thirteenth Army Corps, 

" 'May 22d, 1863. 
" ' General : I have received your despatch in regard to Gen- 
eral Quinby's division and General McArthur's division. As 
soon as they arrive I will press the enemy with all possible 
speed, and doubt not I will force my way through. I have lost 
no ground. My men are in two of the enemy's forts, but they 
are commanded by rifle-pits in the rear. Several prisoners have 
been taken, who intimate that the rear is strong. At this mo- 
ment I am hard pressed. " ' John A. McClernand, 

" 'Major-General Commanding. 
" * Major-General U. S. Grant, 

" 'Department of the Tennessee.^ 

"The assault of this day proved the quality of the soldiers of 
this army. Without entire success, and with a heavy loss, there 
was no murmuring or complaining, no falling back, nor other 
evidence of demoralization. 

"After the failure of the twenty-second, I determined upon a 
regular siege. The troops now being fully awake to the neces- 
sity of this, worked diligently and cheerfully. The work pro- 
gressed rapidly and satisfactorily until the third of July, when 
all was about ready for a final assault. 

" There was a great scarcity of engineer officers in the begin- 
ning, but under the skilful superintendence of Captain F. B. 
Prime, of the Engineer corps, Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, of 
my staff, and Captain C. B. Comstock, of the Engineer corps, 
who joined this command during the siege, such practical ex- 
perience was gained as would enable any division of this army 
hereafter to conduct a siege with considerable skill in the 
absence of regular engineer officers. 

" On the afternoon of the third of July a letter was received 
from Lieutenant-General Pemberton, commanding the con- 
federate forces at Yickburg, proposing an armistice, and the 
appointment of commissioners to arrange terms for the capitu- 
lation of the place. The correspondence, copies of which are 
herewith transmitted, resulted in the surrender of the city and 
garrison of Vicksburg at ten o'clock a.m., July fourth, 1863, ou 
the following terms : ' The entire garrison, officers and men, were 
to be paroled, not to take up arms against the United States 
until exchanged by the proper authorities ; officers and men each 
to be furnished with a parole, signed by himself; officers to 
be allowed their side-arms and private baggage, and the field, 
staff, and cavalry officers one horse each ; the rank and file to 
be allowed all their clothing, but no other property ; rations from 
their own stores sufficient to last them beyond our lines ; the 
necessary cooking utensils for preparing their food ; and thirty 
wagons to transport such articles as could not well be carried 
These terms I regarded more favorable to the Government thaa 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 117 

an uncoDditional surrender. It saved us the transportation of 
them North, which at that time would have been very difficult, 
owing to the limited amount of river transportation on hand, and 
the expense of subsisting them. It left our army free to operate 
against Johnston, who threatened us from the direction of Jack- 
son ; and our river transportation to be used for the movement 
of troops to any point the exigency of the service might require. 

" I deem it proper to state here, in order that the correspon- 
dence may be fully understood, that after my answer to General 
Pembertou's letter of the morning of the third, we had a personal 
interview on the subject of the capitulation. 

" The particulars and incidents of the siege will be contained 
in the reports of division and corps commanders, which will be 
forwarded as soon as received. 

" I brought forward during the siege, in addition to Lau- 
man's division and four regiments previously ordered from 
Memphis, Smith's and Kimball's divisions of the Sixteenth 
army corps, and assigned Major-General C. C. Washburne to 
command of the same. On the eleventh of June, Major-Gen- 
eral F. J. Herrou's division from the department of the 
Missouri arrived ; and on the fourteenth two divisous of the 
Ninth army corps, Major-General J. G. Parke commanding, 
arrived. This increase in my force enabled me to make the 
investment more complete, and at the same time left me a 
large reserve to watch the movements of Johnston. Herron's 
division was put in position on the extreme left south of the city, 
and Lauman's division was placed between Herron and McCler- 
nand. Smith's and Kimball's divisions and Parke's corps were 
sent to Haines' Bluff. This place I had fortified to the land 
side and every preparation made to resist a heavy force. Johns- 
ton crossed Big Black river with a portion of his force, and 
every thing indicated that he would make an attack about the 
twenty-fifth of June. Onr position in front of Vicksburg having 
been made as strong against a sortie from the enemy as his 
works were against an assault, I placed Major-General Sherman 
in command of all the troops designated to look after Johnston. 
The force intended to operate against Johnston, in addition to that 
at Haines' Bluff, was one division from each of the Thirteenth, 
Fifteenth, and Seventeenth army corps, and Lauman's division. 
Johnston, however, not attacking, I determined to attack him 
the moment Yicksburg was in our possession, and accordingly 
notified Sherman that I should again make an assault on Vicks- 
burg at daylight on the sixth, and for him to have up supplies 
of all descriptions ready to move upon receipt of orders, if the 
assault should prove a success. His preparations were imme- 
diately made, and when the place surrendered on the fourth, two 
days earlier than I had fixed for the attack, Sherman was found 
ready and moved at once with a force increased by the remainder 
of both the Thirteenth and Fifteenth army corps, and is at 
present investing Jackson, where Johnston has made a stand. 



118 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

"In the niarcli from Bruinsburg to Vicksburg, covering a 
period of twenty days, before supplies conld be obtained from 
government stores, only five days' rations were issued, and three 
days of tliose were taken in haversacks at the start, and were 
soon exhausted. All other suljsistence was obtained from the 
country through which we passed. The march was commenced 
without wagons, except such as could be picked up through the 
country. The country v;as abundantly supplied with corn, 
bacon, beef and mutton. 'I'he troops enjoyed excellent health, 
and no army ever appeared in better spirit or felt more confident 
of success. 

*' In accordance with previous instructions, Major-General S. 
A. Hurlbut started Colonel (now Brigadier-General) B. H. 
Grierson, with a cavalry force, from La Grange, Tennessee, to 
make a raid through the central portion of the State of Missis- 
sippi, to destroy railroads and other public property, for the 
purpose of creating a diversion in favor of the army moving to 
the attack on Vicksburg. On the seventeenth of April this ex- 
pedition started, and arrived at Baton Rouge on the second of 
May, having successfully traversed the whole State of Missis- 
sippi. This expedition was skilfully conducted and reflects 
great credit on Colonel Grierson and all of his command. The 
notice given this raid by the Southern press confirms our esti- 
mate of its importance. It has been one of the most brilliant 
cavalry exploits of the war, and will be handed down in history 
as an example to be imitated. Colonel Grierson's report is 
herewith transmitted. 

" I cannot close this report without an expression of thank- 
fulness for my good fortune in being placed in co-operation with 
an officer of the navy who accords to every move that seems for 
the interest and success of our arms his hearty and energetic 
support. Admiral Porter and the very eflicient officers under him 
have ever shown the greatest readiness in their co-operation, no 
matter what was to be done or what risk to be taken, either by 
their men or their vessels. Without this prompt and cordial 
support my movements would have been much embarrassed, 
if not wholly defeated. 

" Captain J. U. Shirk, commanding the Tuscumbia, was 
especially active and deserving of the highest commendation 
for his personal attention to the repairing of the damage done 
our transports by the Vicksburg batteries. 

" The result of this campaign has been the defeat of the 
enemy in five battles outside of Vicksburg ; the occupation of 
Jackson, the capital of the State of Mississippi, and the cap- 
ture of Vicksburg and its garrison and munitions of war ; a loss 
to the enemy of thirty-seven thousand (37,000) prisoners ; 
among whom were fifteen general officers ; at least ten thou- 
sand killed and wounded, and among the killed Generals Tracy, 
Tilghman, and Green, and hundreds perhaps thousands of strag- 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 119 

glers, who can never be collected and reorganized. Arms and 
munitions of war for an army of sixty thousand men have fallen 
into our hands, besides a large amount of other public property, 
consisting of railroads, locomotives, cars, steamboats, cotton, 
etc., and much was destroyed to prevent our capturing it. 

"Our loss in the series of battles may be summed up as follows : 

Killed. Wounded. Missiu-.;. 

Port Gibson 130 718 5 

Fourteen-Mile Creek (skirmish) 4 24 

Raymond 69 341 32 

Jackson 40 240 6 

Champion's Hill 426 1,842 189 

Big Black Railroad Bridge 29 242 2 

Vicksburg 245 3,688 .... 303 

" Of the wounded, many were but slightly wounded, and con- 
tinued on duty ; many more required but a few days or weeks for 
their recovery. Not more than one-half of the wounded were 
permanently disabled. 

'■ My personal staffs and chiefs of departments have in all 
cases rendered prompt and efficient service. 

"In all former reports I have failed to make mention of Com- 
pany A, Fourth regiment Illinois cavalry volunteers, Capt. S. D. 
Osband commanding. This company has been on duty with me 
as an escort company since November, 1861, and in every en- 
gagement I have been in since that time, rendered valuable ser- 
vice, attracting general attention for their exemplary conduct, 
soldierly bearing, and promptness. It would not be overstating 
the merits of this company to say that many of them would fill 
with credit any position in a cavalry regiment. 

" For the brilliant achievements recounted in this report, the 
army of the Tennessee, their comrades of the Ninth army corps, 
Herron's division of the army of the frontier, and the navy co- 
operating with them, deserve the highest honors their country 
can award. 

" I have the honor to be. Colonel, very respectfully, your obe- 
dient servant, " U. S. Grant, 

''Major-General U. S. A. Commanding. 
"Colonel J. 0. Kelton, 

''Assistant Adjutant- General, Washington, D. C" 

OFFICIAL COBRESPONDSNCE, 

The following is the correspondence referred to in the 

report : 

" Head-Quarters, Vicksburg, July ^d, 1863. 
^'Major-General Grant, Commanding U. S. Forces: 

" General : I have the honor to propose to you an armistice 
for — hours, with a view to arranging terms for the capitulation 



120 LIFE OF lieutenant-genei;al grant. 

of Vicksbiirg. To this end, if agreeable to you, I will appoint 
three commissioners, to meet a like number to be named by 
yourself, at such place and hour to-day as you may find con- 
venient. I make this proposition to save the further effusion of 
blood, which must otherwise be shed to a frightful extent, feeling 
myself fully able to maintain my position for a yet indefinite 
period. This communication will be handed you under a flag 
of truce, by Major-General James Bowen. 

" Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

" J. C Pemberton," 

To this General Grant replied as follows : 

"Head-quarters, Department of Tennessee, 

" In the Field, near Vicksburg, July 3d, 1863. 
''Lfieutenant- General J. C. Pemberton, Commanding 'Confed- 
erate' Forces, etc. : 

" General: — Your note of this date, just received, proposes an 
armistice of several hours, for the purpose of arranging ternis 
of capitulation through commissioners to be appointed, etc. 
The efi'usion of blood you propose stopping by this course, can 
be ended at any time you may choose, by an unconditional sur- 
render of the city and garrison. Men who have shown so much 
endurance and courage as those now in Yicksburg, will always 
challenge the respect of an adversary, and I can assure you, will 
be treated with all the respect due them as prisoners of war. I 
do not favor the proposition of appointing commissioners to 
arrange terms of capitulation, because I have no other terms 
than those indicated above. 

" I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

" U. S. Grant, Major-General.'^ 

General Bowen, the bearer of General Pemberton's 
letter, expressed a strong desire to converse with General 
Grant, but General Grant declining this, requested General 
Smith to sav, that if General Pemberton desired to see 
him, an interview would be granted between the lines m 
McPherson's front, at any hour which General Pemberton 
might appoint. A message was soon sent back appointing 
three o'clock as the hour. General Grant was there with 
his staff, and with Generals Ord, McPherson, Logan, and 
A. J. Smith. General Pemberton came late, attended by 
General Bowen and Colonel Montgomery. The conver- 
sation was held apart between General Pemberton and his 
officers, and Generals Grant, McPherson, and A. J. Smith. 



LIFE OF LIEUTEXANT-GENERAL GEANT. 121 

The rebels insisted on being paroled and marched beyond 
our lines, with eight days rations drawn from their own 
stores, the officers to retain their private property and 
body-servants. General Grant heard what they had to 
say, and left them at the end of an hour and a half, saying 
that he would send in his ultimatum in writing, to which 
General Pemberton promised to reply before night, hos- 
tilities to cease in the mean time. 

General Grant then conferred with his corps and division 
commanders, and sent the following letter to General Pem- 
berton by the hands of General Logan and Lieutenant- 
Colonel Wilson : 

" Head-Quarters, Department of Tennessee, 
" Near Yicksburg, July M, 1863. 
" Ldeut.-General J. C. Pemberton, Commanding Confederate 
Forces, Vickshurg, Miss.: 

"General : In conformity with the agreement of this afternoon 
I will submit the following propositions for the surrender of the 
city of Vicksburg, public stores, etc. On your accepting the 
terms proposed, I will march in one division as a guard, and take 
possession at eight a.m. to-morrow. As soon as paroles can be 
made out and signed by the officers and men, you will be allowed 
to march out of our lines, the officers taking with them their 
regimental clothing, and staff, field and cavalry officers one horse 
each. The rank and file will be allowed all their clothing, but 
no other property. If these conditions are accepted, any amount 
of rations you may deem necessary can be taken from the stores 
you now have, and also the necessary cooking utensils for pre- 
paring them, and thirty wagons also, counting two two-horse or 
mule teams as one. You will be allowed to transport such 
articles as cannot be carried along. The same conditions will 
be allowed to all sick and wounded officers and privates, as fast 
as they become able to travel. The paroles of these latter must 
be signed, however, whilst officers are present authorized to sign 
the roll of prisoners. 

" I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

"U. S. Grant, Major -General." 

To this the following reply was sent : 

" Head-Quarters, Yicksburg, July M, 1863. 
" Major- General Grant, Commanding U. S. Forces: 

" General : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of 
your communication of this date, proposing terms for the sur- 



122 LIFE OF LIEUTEXAXT -GENERAL GRANT. 

render of this garrison and ])ost. In the main your terms are 
accepted ; but in Justice both to the honor and spirit of my 
troops, manifested in the defence of Vicksburg, I have the honor 
to submit the following amendments, which, if acceded to by 
you, will perfect the agreement between us at ten o'clock to- 
morrow, I propose to evacuate the works in and around Vicks- 
burg, and to surrender the city and garrison under my command 
by marching out with my colors and arms, and stacking them in 
front of my present lines — after which you will take possession ; 
officers to retain their side-arms and personal property, and the 
rights and property of citizens to be respected, 

^ I am, General, yours, very respectfully, 

" J. C. Pemberton, Lieut. -General." 

To this General Grant immediately replied as follows : 

" Head-Quarters, Department of Tennessee, 
" Before Vicksburg, Jtdy Ath, 1863. 
" Lieutenant- General Pemberton, Commanding Forces in 
Vicksburg : 

" General: I have the honor to acknowledge your communi- 
cation of the third of July, The amendments proposed by you 
cannot be acceded to in full. It will be necessary to furnish 
every officer and man with a parole signed by himself, which, 
with the completion of the rolls of prisoners, will necessarily 
take some time. Again, I can make no stipulation with regard 
to the treatment of citizens and their private property. While 
I do not propose to cause any of them any undue annoyance or 
loss, I cannot consent to leave myself under restraint by stipu- 
lations. The property which officers can be allowed to take with 
them will be as stated in the proposition of last evening — that 
is, that officers will be allowed their private baggage and side- 
arms, and mounted officers one horse each. If you mean by 
your proposition for each brigade to march to the front of the 
lines now occupied by it, and stack their arms at ten o'clock a.m., 
and then return to inside and remain as prisoners until properly 
paroled, I will make no objections to it. Should no modification 
be made of your acceptance of my terms by nine o'clock, a.m., I 
shall regard them as having been rejected, and act accordingly. 
Should these terms be accepted, white flags shall be displayed 
along your lines to prevent such of my troops as may not have 
been notified from firing upon your men. 

" I am. General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

"U. S. Grant, Major-General U.S.A.'' 

To this the subjoined answer was received : 

" Head-Quarters, Vicksburg, Juli/ 4th, 1863. 
"Major-General U.S. Grant, Commanding U. S. Forces : 
" General : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, 123 

your communication of this date, and in reply to say that the 
terms proposed by you are accepted. 

" Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

"J. 0. PembertOxX, Lieut. -General" 

THE INTERVIEW BETWEEN GENERAL GRANT 
AND THE REBEL PEMBSRTON. 

The following account of the interview between the 
generals commanding the opposing armies, is given by an 
eye-witness : 

"At three o'clock precisely, one gun, the pre-arranged signal, 
was fired, and immediately replied to by the enemy. General 
Pemberton then made his appearance on the works in McPher- 
sou's front, under a white flag, considerably on the left of what 
is known as Fort Hill. General Grant rode through our 
trenches until he came to an outlet, leading to a small green 
space, which had not been trod by either army. Here he dis- 
mounted, and advanced to meet General Pemberton, with whom 
he shook hands, and greeted familiarly. 

" It was beneath the outspreading branches of a gigantic oak 
that the conference of the generals took place. Here presented 
the only space which had not been used for some purpose or 
other by the contending armies. The ground was covered with 
a fresh, luxuriant verdure ; here and there a shrub or a clump 
of bushes could be seen standing out from the green growth on 
the surface, while several oaks filled up the scene, and gave it 
character. Some of the trees in their tops exhibited the effects 
of flying projectiles, by the loss of limbs or torn foliage, and in 
their trunks the indentations of smaller missiles plainly marked 
the occurrences .to which they had been silent witnesses. 

" The party made up to take part in the conference was com- 
posed as follows : 

" United States Officers. 

" Major-General U. S. Grant. 

" Major-General James B. McPherson. 

" Brigadier-General A. J. Smith. 

^^ Rebel Officers. 

" Lieuten ant-General John C. Pemberton. 

" Major-General Bowen. 

" Colonel Montgomery, A. A.-G. to General Pemberton. 

*' When Generals Grant and Pemberton met they shook 
hands, Colonel Montgomery introducing the party. A short 
silence ensued, at the expiration of which General Pemberton 
remarked : 



124 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

"'General Grant, I meet you in order. to arrange terms for 
the capitulation of the city of Yicksburg and its garrison. 
What terms do you demand ?' 

'* ' Unconditional swrender,' replied General Grant. 

"'Unconditional surrender!' said Pemberton. 'Never, so 
long as I have a man left me! I will fight rather.' 

" ' Then, sir, you can continue the defence,' coolly said Gen- 
eral Grant. ' My army has never been in a better condition for 
the prosecution of the siege.' 

" During the passing of these few preliminaries, General 
Pemberton was greatly agitated, quaking from head to foot, 
while General Grant experienced all his natural self-possession, 
and evinced not the least sign of embarrassment. 

"After a short conversation standing, by a kind of mutual 
tendency the two generals wandered off from the rest of the 
party and seated themselves on the grass, in a cluster of bushes, 
where alone they talked over the important events then pending. 
General Grant could be seen, even at that distance, talking 
coolly, occasionally giving a few puff's at his favorite companion 
— his black cigar. General McPherson, General A. J. Smith, 
General Bowen, and Colonel Montgomery, imitating the ex- 
ample of the commanding generals, seated themselves at some 
distance off", while the respective staffs of the generals formed 
another and larger group in the rear. 

"After a lengthy conversation the generals separated. Gen- 
eral Pemberton did not come to any conclusion on the matter, 
but stated his intention to submit the matter to a council of 
general officers of his command ; and, in the event of their 
assent, the surrender of the city should be made in the morning. 
Until morning was given him to consider, to determine upon the 
matter, and send in his final reply. The generals now rode to 
their respective quarters." 

The same correspondent, under date of July 4tb, 1863, 
writes as follows : 

" Having a few hours leisure this morning, prior to the ar- 
rival of the despatch from General Pemberton, stating he was 
ready to surrender, I took occasion to visit General Grant, and 
found everybody about his head-quarters in a state of the liveliest 
statisfaction. It was evident the glorious events of the day were 
duly appreciated. 

"The General I found in conversation more animated than I 
have ever known him. He is evidently contented with the man- 
ner in which he has acquitted himself of the responsible task 
which has for more than five months engrossed his mind and his 
army. The consummation is one of which he may well be 
proud. From Bruinsburg to Yicksburg, nineteen days, presents 
one of the most active records of marches, actions, and victories 
of the war. All the combined operations of our armies, for a 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 125 

similar length of time, cannot equal it. It is unparalleled, the 
only campaig-n of the war Vv^hich has involved celerity of move- 
ment, attack, victory, pursuit, and the annihilation of the 
enemy." 

THE COMMANDER AND HIS MEN. 

During this campaign General Grant shared all the 
hardships of his men, frequently sleeping in the open air 
and having for his daily food the ration of the private 
soldier. It is also stated that he had neither horse nor 
servant, overcoat nor blanket, and that his only baggage 
was a tooth brush. Throughout the progress of the siege 
this great commander was ever present, and even the most 
unimportant movements received his close attention, while 
during an engagement, his appearance upon the field of 
battle encouraged his brave men to deeds of valor which 
have been rarely equalled in their brilliancy. On the 
seventh of May he issued the following address : 

"Head-Quarters, Army of the Tennessee, in the Field, 
" Hawkinson's Ferry, Jfay Ith, 1863. 
''Soldiers of the Army of Temiessee : 

"Once more 1 thank you for adding another victory to the 
long list of those previously won by your valor and endurance. 
The triumph gained over the enemy near Port Gibson, on the 
1st, was one of the most important of the war. The capture of 
five cannon, and more than one thousand prisoners, the posses- 
sion of Grand Gulf, and a firm foothold on the highlands between 
the Big Black and Bayou Pierre, from whence we threaten the 
whole line of the enemy, are among the fruits of this briUiant 
achievement. 

" The march from Milliken's Bend to the point opposite Grand 
Gulf was made in stormy weather, over the worst of roads. 
Bridges and ferries had to be constructed. Moving by night as 
well as by day, with labor incessant, and extraordinary priva- 
tions endured by men and officers, such as have been rarely 
paralleled in any campaign, not a murmur of complaint has been 
uttered. A few days continuance of the same zeal and con- 
stancy will secure to this army crowning victories over the 
rebellion. 

" More difficulties and privations are before us. Let us en- 
dure them manfully. Other battles are to be fought. Let us 
fight them bravely. A grateful country will rejoice at our suc- 
cess, and history will record it with immortal honor. 

" U. S. Grant, 
8 ''Major-General Comraanding.''^ 



126 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

THE REBEL LOSS DURING THE SIEGE. 

The loss of the rebels in men and material during the 
campaign may be summed up as follows: one Lieutenant- 
General, nineteen Major and Brigadier-Generals, four thou- 
sand six hundred field, staff and line officers, and thirty 
thousand non-commissioned officers and privates taken 
prisoners ; killed in battles and skirmishes one thousand ; 
wounded, four thousand ; captured in the hospitals, six 
thousand; and stragglers eight hundred, making a grand 
total of forty-six thousand four hundred and twenty men. 
They also lost ninety siege-guns, two hundred and eleven 
pieces of field artillery and forty-five thousand small arms. 

A TRIBUTE FROM GENERAL HALLECK— THE 
PRESIDENT THANKS THE VICTOR. 

General Halleck, in his annual report of military opera- 
tions in Mississippi, pays the following just compliment 
to the hero of Vicksburg : 

" When we consider the character of the country in which 
this army operated, the formidable obstacles to be overcome, the 
number of forces and the strength of the enemy's works, we 
cannot fail to admire the courage and endurance of the troops, 
and the skill and daring of their commander. No more bril- 
liant exploit can be found in military history. It has been 
alleged, and the allegation has been widely circulated by the 
press, that General Grant in the conduct of his campaign posi- 
tively disobeyed the instructions of his superiors. It is hardly 
necessary to remark, that General Grant never disobeyed an 
order or instruction, but always carried out to the best of his 
ability every wish or suggestion made to him by the government. 
Moreover, he has never complained that the government did not 
furnish him all the means and assistance in its power to facili- 
tate the execution of any plan he saw fit to adopt. 

" Whilst the main army of Tennessee was operating against 
Vicksburg, the enemy's force on the west side of the river made 
unsuccessful attacks on Milliken's Bend and Lake Providence, 
on the 6th and 10th of June. Our loss in the former was 101 
killed, 285 wounded, and 266 missing. The loss in the latter 
was not reported. It is represented that the colored troops in 
these desperate engagements fought with great bravery ; and 



LIFE OF LTEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 127 

that the rebels treated this class of prisoners of war, as well as 
their officers, with great barbarity. It has not been possible 
however to ascertain the correctness of these representations in 
regaixl to the treatment of these prisoners. 

"After the capture of Vicksburg, General Grant reported that 
his troops were so much fatigued and worn out with forced 
marches and the labors of the siege, as to absolutely require 
several weeks of repose before undertaking another campaign. 
Nevertheless, as the exigencies of the service seemed to require 
it, he sent out those who were least fatigued on several important 
expeditions, while the others remained at Vicksburg to put that 
place in a better defensive condition for a small garrison," 

The following letter was written some days after the 
capitulation by President Lincoln : 

" ExRcuTTVR Mansion, Washington, July 13i^/i, 1863. 
"To Major- General Grant : 

"My Dear General: — I do not remember that you and I 
ever met personally. I write this, now, as a grateful acknowl- 
edgment for the almost inestimable service you have done the 
country. I wish to say a word further. When you first reached 
the vicinity of Vicksburg, I thought you should do what you 
finally did, march the troops across the neck, run the batteries 
with the transports, and thus go below ; and I never had 
any faith, except a general hope that you knew better than I, 
that the Yazoo Pass expedition, and the like, could succeed. 
When you got below and took Port Gibson, Grand Gulf, and 
vicinity, I thought you should go down the river and join General 
Banks ; and when you turned northward, east of the Big Black, 
I feared it was a mistake. I now wish to make a personal ac- 
knowledgment that you were right, and I was wrong. 

" Yours, very truly, "A. Lincoln." 

HOW THE KEWS V/AS RECEIVED NORTH 
AND SOUTH. 

The intelligence of the glorious consummation of Gen- 
eral Grant's plans was received with the most unbounded 
delight by the people of the country, and the praise 
awarded to the gallant soldiers who had achieved the vic- 
tories, and to their skilful commander, was not in the least 
lessened by the equally glad tidings which had been 
wafted to their ears from the valleys of Pennsylvania. 
*' Gettysburg and Vicksburg" was the watchword which 



128 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

issued from the lips of every patriot, and throughout the 
length and breadth of the loyal States, old and young, 
male and female, united in one hymn of thanksgiving to 
the Almighty, by whose will our armies in the East and 
West had met with so much success. Even the Southern 
journals, while lamenting their losses, did not hesitate to 
award honor to General Grant, as the following extract 
from an editorial published in one of these treasonable 
sheets will show : 

" We pardon," says the journalist, " General Grant's 
smoking a cigar as he entered the smouldering ruins of 
the town of Yicksburg. A little stage effect is admissible 
in great captains, considering that Napoleon at Milan wore 
the little cocked hat and sword of Marengo, and that snuff 
was the inevitable concomitant of victory in the great 
Frederick. General Grant is a noble fellow, and by the 
terms of capitulation which he accorded to the heroic gar- 
rison, showed himself as generous as Napoleon was to 
Wurmser at the surrender of Mantua. His deed will read 
well in history, and he has secured to himself a name 
which posterity will pronounce with veneration and grati- 
tude. There is no general in this country, or in Europe, 
that has done harder work than General Grant, and none 
that has better graced his victories by the exercise of 
humanity and virtue. What we learn of the terms of 
capitulation is sufficient to prove General Grant to be a 
generous soldier and a man. A truly brave man respects 
bravery in others, and when the sword is sheathed, con- 
siders himself free to follow the dictates of humanity. 
General Grant is not a general that marks his progress by 
proclamations to frighten unarmed men, w^omen, and chil- 
dren ; he fulminates no arbitrary edicts against the press; 
he does not make war on newspapers and their corres- 
pondents ; he flatters no one to get himself puffed ; but he 
is terrible in arms and magnanimous after the battle. Go 
on, brave General Grant ; pursue the course you have 



LIFB OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 129 

marked out for yourself, and Clio, the pensive muse, as 
she records your deeds, will rejoice at her manly theme." 

THE FALL OF PORT HUDSON. 

The fall of Yicksburg made Port Hudson untenable, and 
. on the eighth of July, 1863, it was surrendered to General 
Banks, with fifty-one pieces of artillerj^ five thousand stand 
of arms, a large amount of ammunition and stores, and 
nearly six thousand men and officers, including two Gen- 
erals. 

THE PURSUIT AFTER THE SURRENDER OF 
VICKSBURG— THE REOPENING OF THE MIS- 
SISSIPPI. 

Immediately after the surrender of Yicksburg, General 
Sherman was ordered by the commander-in-chief to move 
on the rebel leader Joseph E. Johnston, who, it was un- 
derstood, was preparing to attack him in the rear, and on 
the sixth of July he was investing Jackson, Mississippi. 
On the eleventh a cavalry force captured in a house near 
Jackson the private library of Jefferson Davis, and several 
bushels of letters belonging to the same individual, many 
of the most important of which were subsequently given 
to the public through the columns of the loyal press ; and 
on the following day another detachment destroyed the 
railroad east of Jackson. On the thirteenth an unsuc- 
cessful attack was made by the enemy, and on the night 
of the sixteenth, Johnston evacuated Jackson, and fled 
towards Meridian. One brigade moved immediately for- 
ward, and, dashing into the town, raised the flag of the 
Union on the State House. 

While these movements were in progress, General Grant 
remained at Yicksburg supervising the general arrange- 
ments of the movement, and at the same time sending out 
certain important expeditions, which, in their successful 
result, had great influence upon the more extensive pro- 



130 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

jects of the skilful commander. Among these was one 
sent to Yazoo City, which captured three hundred prison- 
ers, six cannon, a number of small arms and eight hundred 
horses and mules. One steamer v.as also captured and 
five burned. 

The fall of Jackson ended the campaign, and for a brief 
period the victorious troops who had in less than three 
months fought seven hotly contested battles and numerous 
less important engagements, were given that rest to which 
their arduous labors and heroic deeds entitled them. 

The arrogant and implacable foe had been captured in 
his stronghold, and wherever the two opposing armies 
had met in conflict, the evidences of the superior skill and 
bravery of our troops were everywhere apparent. But 
the destruction of the great rebel army of the Southwest 
was not the most important result of General Grant's cam- 
paign. There was another which had been awaited with 
almost equal anxiety by the country, and that was the re- 
opening of the Mississippi river. The fall of Yicksburg 
and Port Hudson accomplished this, and from that date 
to the present time, navigation has continued uninterrupted 
alons: the entire course of that stream from St. Louis to 
New Orleans, except where guerillas, emboldened by the 
absence of our troops, have pursued their murderous call- 
ing by firing upon a passing steamer, and then escaping 
to their coverts. 

U. S. GHANT APPOITTTED MAJOK-GENERAL- 
IMPOBTAITT OKDEHS ISSUED. 
General Grant remained at Yicksburg until the latter 
part of August, during which period he attended zealously 
to the interests of his Department. His services were 
not unappreciated at Washington, and he was appointed 
by the President a Major-General in the Regular army, 
his commission to date from the fourth of July, 1863, the 
day upon which he had received the surrender of Yicks- 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 131 

burg. The officers of his command also evinced their ap- 
preciation and regard, by presenting him with a costly 
sword, the handle of the weapon representing a young 
giant crushing the rebellion. On the twentieth of July 
he gave permission in a general order to five per centum 
of every military organization to visit their homes for 
thirty days, but ordered that none should leave who had 
shirked duty or straggled from their commands, and on 
the next day he addressed the following letter to the Secre- 
tary of the Treasury : 

"Head-Quarters, Department of the Tennessee, 
" VicKSBURo, Miss., July list, 1863. 

<< Sir :_Your letter of the fourth instant to me, enclosing a 
copy of a letter of same date to Mr. Mellen, special agent of the 
Treasury, is just received. My Assistant Adjutant-General, by 
whom I shall send this letter, is about starting for Washington ; 
hence I shall be very short in my reply. 

" My experience in West Tennessee has convinced me that 
any trade whatever with the rebelUous States is weakening to 
us of at least thirty-three per cent, of our force. No matter 
what the restrictions thrown around trade, if any whatever 
is allowed, it will be made the means of supplying the enemy 
with what they want. Restrictions, if lived up to, make trade 
unprofitable, and hence none but dishonest men go into it. I 
will venture to say that no honest man has made money in West 
Tennessee in the last year, while many fortunes have been made 
there during that time. 

"The people in the Mississippi Valley are now nearly subju- 
gated. Keep trade out for a few months, and I doubt not but 
that the work of subjugation will be so complete, that trade can 
be opened freely with the States of Arkansas, Louisiana, and 
Mississippi ; that the people of these States will be more anxious 
for the enforcement and protection of our laws than the people 
of the loyal States. They have experienced the misfortune of 
being: without them, and are now in a most happy condition to 
appreciate their blessings. 

" No theory of ray own will ever stand in the way of my execut- 
ing, in good faith, any order I may receive from those in authority 
over me ; but ray position has given rae an opportunity of seeing 
what would not be known by persons away from the scene of war, 
and I venture, therefore, to suggest great caution in opening 
trade with rebels. 

" I am, Sir, very respectfully, 

" Your obedient servant, 

" U. S. Grant, Major -General. 

"Hon. S. p. Chase Secretary of the Treasury:' 



132 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GBANT. 

He also issued an order forbidding captains of steam- 
boats from charging officers and soldiers exorbitant rates 
of passage between Yicksburg and Cairo. " I will teach 
them, if they need the lesson," said the gallant General, 
"that the men who have perilled their lives to open the 
Mississippi river for their benefit, cannot be imposed upon 
with impunity." One unprincipled, speculative captain, 
when about steaming from the wharf, was compelled by 
the General to return to his passengers (about two hun- 
dred and fifty officers and one thousand privates) all the 
money they had paid for the trip in excess of the officially- 
prescribed rates of five dollars for enlisted men, and seven 
dollars for officers. The presence of a guard enforced the 
payment, much to the delight of the heroes, who were 
thus afi'orded another evidence of the consideration of 
their commander for his troops. 

GENERAL GRANT AT MEMPHIS— A PUBLIC 
ENTERTAINMENT GIVEN TO HIM BY THE 
CITIZENS. 

In the latter part of August, 1863, General Grant left 
Yicksburg to pay a visit to the various districts of his De- 
partment, and on the twenty-fifth of that month he arrived 
in Memphis, where he was received with all the honors to 
which his valuable services entitled him. On the following 
morning he was waited upon by a committee of citizens 
who welcomed him to Memphis, and inviting him to a 
public entertainment to take place the same evening, pre- 
sented him with a series of complimentary resolutions. 

Upon General Grant's appearance in the hall in which 
the entertainment was given, the large number of persons 
assembled there welcomed him in the most enthusiastic 
manner. After this reception the guests were invited into 
the dining-room, where, after partaking of the substantials, 
the regular toasts of the evening were read. The third 
of the series was — 

" General Grant — the Guest or the City." 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENEBAL GKANT. 13-^ 

This was the signal for the most unbounded applause, 
and loud calls were made for the hero of Yicksburg, but 
to the disappointment of all present he retained his seat, 
while his staflf-surgeon, Dr. Hewitt, arose and made the 
following brief speech : 

"lam instructed by General Grant to say that, as he has 
never been given to public speaking, you will have to excuse 
him on this occasion ; and, as I am the only member of his staff 
present, I therefore feel it my duty to thank you for this mani- 
festation of your fjood will, as also the numerous other kindnesses 
of which he has been the recipient ever since his arrival among 
you. General Grant believes that in all he has done he has no 
more than accomplished a duty, and one, too, for which no par- 
ticular honor is due. But the world, as you do, will accord 
otherwise." 

The doctor then proposed, at General Grant's request — 
"The officers of the different staffs, and the non-commis- 
sioned officers and privates of the Army of the Tennessee." 
Subsequently some beautiful verses were read, in which 
the discovery of the Mississippi river by De Soto, and 
the benefits derived from the invention of Fulton, who 
"sent his messengers in smoke and flame up to the Mis- 
sissippi's very font," were referred to, and which con- 
cluded as follows : 

"Then spoke an enemy — and on his banks 
Armed men appeared, and cannon-shot proclaimed 
The Mississippi closed — that mighty stream 
Found by De Soto, and by Fulton won ! 
One thought to chain him ! ignominious thought ! 
But then the grand old monarch shook his locks 
And burst his fetters like a Samson freed ! 
The heights were crowned with ramparts sheltering those 
Whose treason knew no bounds : the frowning forts 
Belched lightnings, and the morning gun 
A thousand miles told mournfully the tale, 
The Mississippi closed. 

"Not long ; from the Lord God of Hosts was sent 
A leader who with patient vigil planned 
A great deliverance : height by height was gained, 
Island and hill and woody bank and cliff. 
Month followed month, till on our natal day 



134 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

The last great barrier fell, and never more 
The sire of waters shall ohstriiction know ! 
Now with Be Soto's name, and Fulton's, see 
The greater name of Grant ! 

" Our children's children, noble Grant, shall sing 
That great delicerance ! On the tloods of spring 
Thy name shall sparkU\ smiling commerce tell 
Thy great achievement which restores the chain, 
Never again to break, which makes us one." 

The last toast of the evening was as follows : " General 

Grant Your Grant and my Gi^ant. Having granted us 

victories, grant us the restoration of the " Old Flag" and 
grant us supplies so that we may grant to our friends this 
grant to us." 

GENERAL GRANT'S LETTER TO THE CITI- 
ZEISS OP MEMPHIS. 

At the concUu^ion of the entertainment, which was kept 
up with great spirit until an early hour of the ensuing 
morning, General Grant left for Yicksburg, but before era- 
barking he addressed the following modest and patriotic 
letter to the committee of citizens : 

" Memphis, Texn., August 2Qth, 1863. 

"Gkn'tlkmkx: — I have received a copy of resolutions passed 
by the 'loval citizens of Memphis, at a meeting held at the 
rooms of the Chamber of Commerce, August 25th, 1863,' ten- 
dering me a public reception, 

"In acceptins: this testimonial, which I do at a great sacri- 
fice of my personal feelings. 1 simply desire to pay a tribute to 
the first public exhibition'in Memphis of loyalty to the govern- 
ment which I represent in the Department of the Tennessee. I 
should dislike to refuse for considerations of personal conveni- 
ence, to acknowledge, anywhere or in any form, the existence of 
sentiments which I have so long and so ardently desired to see 
manifested in this department" The stability of this govern- 
ment and the unity of this nation depend solely on the cordial 
support and the e'arnest loyalty of the people. While, there- 
fore. I thank you sincerely for 'the kind expressions you have 
used towards myself, I am profoundly gratified at this public 
recognition, in the city of Memphis, o\ the power and authority 
of the goverument of the United States. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GBANT. 135 

" I thank you, too, in the name of the noble army which 1 
have the honor to command. It is composed of men whose 
loyalty is proved by their deeds of heroism and their willing 
sacrifices of life and health. 'I'hey will rejoice with me that the 
miserable adherents of the rebellion, whom their bayonets have 
driven from this fair land, are beini^ replaced by men who ac- 
knowledge human libt-rty as the only true foundation of human 
government. May your efforts to restore your city to the caune 
of the Union be as successful as have been theirs to reclaim it 
from the despotic rule of the leaders of the rebellion. 1 have 
the honor to be, gentlemen, your very obedient servant, 

" U. S. Grant, Major-General.'' 

GENERAL GRANT IN NEW ORLEANS— HE 
MEETS WITH A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. 

From Vicksburg, General Grant went to Natchez and 
New Orleans, arriving in the latter city on the second of 
September, 1863, and the next day the trade of that empo- 
rium with the ports in the Northwest was declared free of 
any military restriction. On the fourth of September, in 
company with General Bank.s, the Commander of the De- 
partment, he reviewed the Thirteenth Army Corps, which 
had at one time formed a portion of his command. An 
eye-witness states that " he was in undress uniform, with- 
out sword, sash or belt, coat unbuttoned, a low-cornered 
black felt hat without any mark upon it of military rank, 
and with a cigar in his mouth. It must be known, how- 
ever, that he is never without the latter except when 
asleep." General Grant is an excellent horseman, but on 
the occasion referred to was riding a strange horse and 
was thrown from his seat to the ground, and so seriously 
injured that for some time it was apprehended that he 
would be compelled to relinquish active service in the field, 
if not his connection with the army, but the care and skill 
of the surgeon in a few weeks restored him to a condition 
which enabled him once again to assume the charge of the 
armies in the Southwest. His accident, however, was of 
great temporary inconvenience to the government, which 
had contemplated giving him the command of the Union 
forces moving towards Northwestern Georgia. 



136 LIJE OF LIKUTEXAyT-GEXERAL GRAXT. 

General Halleck, in referring to the subject in his annual 
report, says : 

"As three separate armies — those of the Ohio, Cumberland, 
and Teonessee — were now to operate in the same field, it seemed 
necessary to have a single commander, in order to secure a 
more perfect co-operation than had been obtained with the sep- 
arate commands of Burnside and Eosecrans. General Grant, 
hy his distiriuuished services and superior rank to all the other 
generals in the West, seemed entitled to this general co-mraand. 
But, unfortunately, he was at this time in New Orleans, unable 
to take the field. Moreover, there was no telegraphic com- 
munication with him, and the despatches of September 13th, 
directed to him and General Sherman, did not reach them until 
some days after their dates, thus delaying the movement of 
General Grant's forces from Yicksburg. General Hurlbut, bow- 
ever, had moved the troops of his own corps, then in West Ten- 
nessee, with commendable promptness. These were to be re- 
placed by reinforcements from Steele's Corps in Arkansas, 
which also formed part of General Grant's army. Hearing 
nothing from General Grant or General Sherman's Corps at 
Yicksburg, it was determined on the 23d to detach the Eleventh 
and Twelfth Corps from the Army of the Potomac, and send 
them by rail, under the command of General Hooker, to protect 
General Rosecrans' line of communication from Bridgeport to 
Nashville." 

HE GOES TO ITTDIANAPOLIS— APPOINTED TO 
THE COMMAND OP THE MILITARY DIVISION 
OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 

As soon however as General Grant was able to move, he 
started up the Mississippi to Cairo, stopping at the differ- 
ent military posts, and making the necessary arrangements 
at each for the departure of the troops to join the forces 
near Chattanooga. At Ticksburg he organized a board 
of officers, eight of the members being generals, to prepare 
and present, as a reward, to the members of the Seven- 
teeeth Corps, who had displayed conspicuous valor on the 
field of battle or endurance in the march, a medal of honor, 
having upon it the inscription, "Yicksbarg, July 4tb, 1863." 

From Cairo, General Grant went to Indianapolis, where 
he received a despatch from the Secretary of War request- 
ing him to remain at that point until he joined him. They 



LITE OJ "Z-ZZyi^SrASSSSEMAL GSJlST. 1S7 
v>:nmet.ai " -;: ::_- w» laded to tie Gm- 



•« Wax DgTA gguLSg . AmrtMrp-GKisBJii.'* OrrKi^ 
" W A jS3TvgTO«- O-dcier ISdL 18C3L 

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pvtaBeas of tbe O^o. of t&e CvBbcrlaaid^ ssd of (^ T eBa gscc e, 
wfflcoiistftrteAeMjailaiyI>mri««f AeMiBHisBiffi. ^*^^ 
Generil U. S. Graat, Uailed Sates anj, » placed is nmwnnm 
of the MiliiATj Divisfio of tke "HffqawsfpoL liiA ts liLjd i|piiliii 
iB tlie CyM 

»Mjaor-6€aenI W. S. BfloccrHU. U. S. Yofe, is reeved 
&«■ tke coMBft^ of t^ DepaztBEBt aad Amy of tbe Cvnba-- 
iMd. Mmjor-GeaenlG. H.TbMttSMkeic^aBBSMdtatisi 

eommtnd. 

- Bt crcrr :: :'-r Sf . War. 

R D. TowTiZi - . -1. X-^ * 

~---- T: -■ - — ■ r -■- — '?«?eief3«d " H : ^"~~'^- ^'"-'^ 
Tt-r ^h:-- 5- . 



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•* In coMpiiaaee whk Ger 
iagUa, D. G^ Oetober llki 
SUMS conaad of tbe M 
eabraeiB^ tke depsz^B^ts 
of tie Tesaessec' 

- The head~q«aiten of tik ' 

viD be Ib the fidd, whne _ 
the amr x^fvlBtioBS aad ex . 

The new command embra-e^ within its IiButs the Stales 
; ' " . n. Ilhnois. Indian*. Ob: ">. Xenmcky. Teanessee, 

M — r ~ > : -: hem AlabaiiiA. &zid Northwestern Georgia, 

iz i ii^ve : : :-.i eoamandm^-^efieffal lb«r large annes : 
;hai wiih which he had cosqneied ViAsbar? ; the **Ai«iy 



138 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

of the Cumberland ;" the "Army of the Ohio ;" and Gen- 
eral Hooker's Grand Division. Sherman, Thomas, Burn- 
side, Hooker, and subsequently Foster, were his army 
commanders, and the following corps were also embraced 
in the command : 

The Fourth army corps. General Granger ; the Ninth 
army corps, General Potter ; the Eleventh army corps, 
General Howard ; the Twelfth army corps. General Slo- 
cum ; the Fourteenth army corps, General Palmer ; the 
Fifteenth army corps, General J. A. Logan ; the Sixteenth 
army corps, General Hurlbut ; the Seventeenth army 
corps, General McPherson ; the Twenty-third army corps. 
General Manson. 

Large as was the command thus entrusted to General 
Grant, the strength of the rebel army in the Southwest was 
but little less stupendous — troops from all parts of the rebel- 
lious States, where their absence from other fields was not 
detrimental to their infamous cause, having been gathered 
there by General Bragg to thwart the plans of the Union 
commander, and to hold Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. 
They freely acknowledged it was better to "give up the 
seacoast — better to give up the Southwest — better to give 
up Richmond without a struggle, than lose the golden 
field whose grain and wool are our sole hope." They also 
pretended to have no fear of General Grant, and pro- 
nounced him and General Thomas two fools, a remark 
which led President Lincoln to observe, that " if one fool 
like Grant can do as much work and win as profitable 
victories as he, I have no objection to two of them, as 
they would surely wipe out the rebellion." 

GENERAL GRANT AT CHATTANOOGA— HIS 
PREPARATIONS EOR THE CAMPAIGN. 

On the twenty-first of October, 18G3, our hero arrived at 
Nashville, and two days later reached Chattanooga. The 



LIFE OF LIEUTEITANT-GENERAL GRANT. 139 

position of affairs at that time was any thing but promising. 
The roads over which the supplies for the arm}^ had neces- 
sarily to be transported, were almost impassible, and the 
soldiers were compelled to subsist on half rations. A 
large force of men was immediately placed at work to im- 
prove the means of communication, supplies began to 
come in in quantity sufficient to relieve the necessities of 
the soldiers, who, amid all their deprivations and suffer- 
ing, were not dispirited, and thousands of reinforcements 
were taken to Chattanooga preparatory to the commence- 
ment of another campaign. The re-occupation of Look- 
out Mountain, which had to be abandoned by the Union 
troops after the battles of Chickamauga fought by Rose- 
crans, and the re-opening of the valley route, were the 
principal designs of General Grant ; and although he 
quietly remained at Chattanooga, to use the language of 
an eye-witness, with his briarwood pipe, walking to and 
fro up the streets of the town, unattended, many times 
unobserved, but at all times observing, he was hourly 
adding to the perfection of his plans ; and to prevent those 
plans from being known to the enemy, he issued the fol- 
lowing order : 

" Head-Quarters, Division of the Mississippi, 

" In the Field, 
" Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov, bth, 1863. 
" The habit of trading parties of Rebel cavalry visiting towns, 
villages and farms where there are no Federal forces, and pil- 
laging Union families, having become prevalent, department 
commanders will take immediate steps to abate the evil, or make 
the loss by such raids fall upon secessionists and secession sym- 
pathizers in the neighborhood where such acts are committed. 
For every act of violence to the person of an unarmed Union 
citizen, a secessionist will be arrested and held as hostage for 
the delivery of the offender. For every dollar's worth of property 
taken from such citizens, or destroyed by raiders, an assessment 
will be made upon secessionists of the neighborhood, and col- 
lected by the nearest military forces, under the supervision of 
the commander thereof, and the amount thus collected paid over 
to the sufferers. When such assessments cannot be collected 
in money, property useful to the Government may be taken at a 



140 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

fair valuation, and the amount paid in money by a disbursing 
officer of the Government, who will take such property upon his 
returns. Wealthy secession citizens will be assessed in money 
and provisions for the support of Union refugees who have been 
and may be driven from their homes and into our lines by the 
acts of those with whom such secession citizens are in sympathy. 
All collections and payn^ents under this order will be through 
disbursing officers of Ihe Government, whose accounts must 
show all money and property received under it, and how dis- 
posed of. 

" By order of " Major-General U. S. Grant. 

"T. S. Bowers, Assidant Adjutant-General.'' 

THE BATTLES NEAR CHATTANOOGA— GEN- 
EBAL GRANT'S OFFICIAL REPORT. 

Of the great battles which took place in the vicinity of 
Chattanooga, no better account could be given than that 
which is to be found in the following official report of 
the Commanding General : 

"Head-Quarters, Military Division of the Mississippi, 
"In Field, Chattanooga, Tknn., Dec. 23<i, 1863. 
''Colonel J. G. Kelton, Assistant Adjutant-General, Washing- 
ton, B.C.: 

"Colonel: — In pursuance of General Orders No. 337, War 
Department, of dale Washington, October 16th, 1863, delivered 
to me by the Secretary of War, at Louisville, Kentucky, on the 
eighteenth of the same month. I assumed command of the ' Mili- 
tary Division of the Mississippi,' comprising the Departments of 
the Ohio, the Cumberland, and the Tennessee, and telegraphed the 
order assuming command, together with the order of the War De- 
partment referred to, to Major-General A. E. Burnside at Knox- 
ville. and Major-General W. S. Rosecrans at Chattanooga. 

" My action in telegraphing these orders to Chattanooga, in 
advance of my arrival there, was induced by information fur- 
nished me by the Secretary of War of the difficulties with 
which the Army of the Cumberland had to contend, in supply- 
ing itself over a long mountainous and almost impassable road 
from Stevenson, Alabama, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and his 
fears' that General Rosecrans would fall back to the north side of 
the Tennessee river. To guard further against the possibility of the 
Secretary's fears, I also telegraphed to Major-General Thomas on 
the nineteenth of October, from Louisville, to hold Chattanooga 
at all hazards, that 1 would be there as soon as possible. To 
which he replied, on the same date, ' I will hold the town till we 
starve.' 

" Proceeding directly to Chattanooga, I arrived there on the 



LIFE OF LIEUTENAXT-GEXERAL GRANT. 141 

twenty-third of October, and found that General Thomas had, 
immediately on beings placed in command of the Department of 
the Cumberland, ordered the concentration of Major-General 
Hooker's command at Bridgeport, preparatory to securing the 
river and main wagon-road between that place and Brown's 
Ferry, immediately below Lookout Mountain. The next morn- 
ing after my arrival at Chattanooga, in company with Thomas 
and Brigadier-General W. F. Smith, Chief Engineer, I made a 
leconnoissance of Brown's Ferry, and the hills on the south side 
of the river and at the mouth of Lookout Valley. After the 
reconnoissance, the plan agreed upon was for Hooker to cross 
at Bridgeport to the south side of the river with all the force 
that could be spared from the railroad, and move on the main 
wagon-road, by way of Whitesides to Wauhatchie, in Lookout 
Valley. Major-General J. M. Palmer was to proceed by the 
only practicable route north of the river from his position op- 
posite Chattanooga to a point on the north bank of the Ten- 
nessee river and opposite Whitesides, then to cross to the south 
side, to hold the road passed over by Hooker. In the meantime, 
and before the enemy could be apprised of our intention, a force 
under the direction of Brigadier-General W. F. Smith, Chief 
Engineer, was to be thrown across the river at or near Brown's 
Ferry, to seize the range of hills at the mouth of Lookout Val- 
ley, covering the Brown's Ferry road, and orders were given ac- 
cordingly. 

" It was known that the enemy held the north end of Lookout 
Valley with a brigade of troops, and the road leading around 
the foot of the mountain from their main camps in Chattanooga 
Valley to Lookout Valley. Holding these advantages, he would 
have had but little difficulty in concentrating a sufficient force 
to have defeated or driven Hooker back. To remedy this, the 
seizure of the range of hills at the mouth of Lookout Valley, 
and covering the Brown's Ferry road, was deemed of the high- 
est importance. This, by the use of pontoon bridges at Chatta- 
nooga and Brown's Ferry, would secure to us, by the north bank 
of the river, across Moccasin Point, a shorter line by which to 
reinforce our troops in Lookout Valley than the narrow and 
tortuous road around the foot of Lookout Mountain afforded 
the enemy for reinforcing his. 

"The force detailed for the expedition consisted of four thou- 
sand men, under command of General Smith, Chief Engineer; 
eighteen hundred of which, under Brigadier-General W. B. 
Hazen, in sixty pontoon boats, containing thirty armed men 
each, floated quietly from Chattanooga, past the enemy's pickets, 
to the foot of Lookout Mountain, on the night of the twenty- 
seventh of October, landed on the south side of the river at 
Brown's Ferry, surprised the enemy's pickets stationed there, 
and seized the hills covering the ferry, without the loss of a man 
killed, and but four or five wounded. The remainder of the 
9 



142 LIFE OF LIEUTENAXT-GEXERAL GRANT. 

force, together with the materials for n, bridge, was moved by 
the Dorth bank of the river across Moccasin Foint to Brown's 
Ferry, without attracting the attention of the enemy, and before 
day dawned the whole force was ferried to the south bunk of the 
river, and the almost inaccessible heights rising from Lookout 
Yalley at its- outlet to the river and below the mouth of Lookout 
creek, were secured. By ten o'clock a.m., an excellent pontoon 
bridge was laid across the river at Brown's Ferry, thus securing 
to us the end of the desired road nearest the enemy's forces, and 
a shorter line over which to pass troops if a battle became in- 
evitable. Positions were taken up by our troops from which 
they could not have been driven except by vastly superior forces, 
and then only with great loss to the enemy. Our artillery was 
placed in such position as to completely command the roads 
leading from the enemy's main camps in Chattanooga Valley to 
Lookout Valley. 

" On the twenty-eighth Hooker emerged into Lookout Val- 
ley at Wauhatchie, by the direct road from Bridgeport, by way 
of Whitesides to Chattanooga, with the Eleventh Army Corps, 
under Major-General Howard, and Geary's division of the Twelfth 
army corps, and proceeded to take up positions for the defence 
of the road from Whitesides, over which he had marched, and 
also the road leading from Brown's Ferry to Kelly's Ferry, 
throwing the left of Howard's corps forward to Brown's Ferry. 
The division that started, under command of Palmer, for White- 
sides, reached its destination, and took up the position intended 
in the original plan of this movement. These movements, so 
successfully executed, secured to us two comparatively good 
lines by which to obtain supplies from the terminus of the rail- 
road at Bridgeport, namely: The main wagon-road, by way of 
Whitesides, Wauhatchie, and Brown's Ferr}', distant but 
twenty-eight miles, and the Kelly's Ferry and Brown's Ferry 
roads, which, by the use of the river from Bridgeport to Kelly's 
Ferry, reduced the distance for wagoning to but eight miles. 

"Up to this period our forces at Chattanooga were practi- 
cally invested, the enemy's lines extending from the Tennessee 
river above Chattanooga to the river at and below the point of 
Lookout Mountain below Chattanooga, with the south bank of 
the river picketed to near Bridgeport, his main force being forti- 
fied in Chattanooga Valley, at the foot of and on Mission Ridge 
and Lookout Mountain, and a brigade in Lookout Valley. True, 
we held possession of the country north of the river, but it was 
from sixty to seventy miles over the most impracticable roads to 
carry sup})lies. The artillery-horses and mules had become so 
reduced by starvation that they could not have been relied on 
for moving any thing. An attempt at retreat must have been 
"with men alone, and with only such supplies as they could carry. 
A retreat would have been almost certain annihilation, fur the 
enemy, occupying positions within gunshot of and overlooking 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 143 

our very fortifications, would unquestionably have pursued our 
retreating' forces. Already more than ten thonsaud animals had 
perislied in supplying- half rations to the troops by the long and 
tedious route from Stevenson and Bridgeport to Chattanooga, 
over Waldron's Ridge. They could not have been sup})]ied 
another week. 

'•The enemy was evidently fully apprised of our condition in 
Chattanooga, and of the necessity of our establishing a new and 
shorter line by which to obtain supplies, if we would maintain 
our position ; and so fully was he impressed with the importance 
of keepitig from us these lines — lost to him by surprise, and in a 
manner he little dreamed of — that, in order to regain possession 
of them, a night attack was made by a portion of Longstreet's 
forces on a portion of Hooker's troops (Geary's division of the 
Twelfth corps), the first night after Hooker's arrival in the 
valley. This attack failed, however, and Howard's corps, 
which was moving to the assistance of Geary, finding that it 
was not recpiired by him, carried the remaining heights held by 
the enemy west of Lookout creek. This gave us quiet posses- 
sion of the lines of communication heretofore described, south 
cf the Tennessee river. Of these operations 1 cannot speak 
more particularly, the sub-reports having been sent to Washing- 
ton without passing through my hands. 

" By the use of two steamboats, one of which had been left 
at Chattanooga by the enemy, and fell into our hands, and one 
that had been built by us at Bridgeport and Kelly's Ferry, we 
were enabled to obtain supplies with but eight miles of wagon- 
ing. The capacity of the railroad and steamboats was not suf- 
ficient, however, to supply all the wants of the army, but actual 
suffering was prevented. 

"Ascertaining from scouts and deserters that Bragg was de- 
taching Longstreet from the front, and moving him in the 
direction of Knoxville, Tennessee, evidently to attack Burnside, 
and, feeling strongly the necessity of some move that would 
compel him to retain all his forces and recall those he had de- 
tached, directions were given for a movement against Mission 
Ridge, with a view to carrying it and threatening the enemy's 
communication with Longstreet. of which I informed Burnside 
by telegraph on the seventh of November. After a thi)rough 
reconnoissance of the ground, however, it was deemed utterly 
impracticable to make the move until Sherman could get up, 
because of the inadequacy of our force and the condition of 
the animals then at Chattanooga; and I was forced to leave 
Burnside, for the present, to contend ag;iinst superior forces of 
the enemy until the arrival of Sherman, with his men and 
means of transportation. In the meantime, reconnoissances 
were made and plans matured for operations. Despatches were 
Bent to Sherman informing him of the movement of Longstreet, 
and the necessity of his immediate presence at Chattanooga. ^ 



144 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

"On the 14th of November, 1863, I telegraphed to Burnside 
as follows : 

" 'Your despatch and Dana's just received. Beinf? there you 
can tell better how to resist Long-street's attack than I can direct. 
With your showino^, you had better cive up Kingston at the last 
moment and save the most productive part of your possessions. 
Every arrangement is now made to throw Sherman's force 
across the river, just at and below the mouth of Ohickamauga 
Creek. As soon as it arrives, Thomas will attack on his left at 
the same time, and together it is expected to carry Mission 
Ridge, and from there push a force on to the railroad, between 
Cleveland and Dalton. Hooker will at the same time attack, 
and, if he can, carry Lookout Mountain. The enemy now seems 
to be looking for an attack on his left flank. This favors us. 
'J'o further confirm this, Sherman's advance division will march 
direct from Whitesides to Trenton. The remainder of his force 
will pass over a new road just made from Whitesides to Kelly's 
Ferry, this being concealed from the enemy, and leave him to 
suppose the whole force is going up Lookout Valley. Sher- 
man's advance has only just reached Bridgeport. The rear will 
only reach there on the 16th. This will bring it to the 19th as 
the earliest day for making the combined movement as desired. 
Inform me if you think you can sustain yourself until that time. 
I can hardly conceive of the enemy breaking through at Kings- 
ton, and pushing for Kentucky. If they should, however, a new 
problem would be left for solution. Thomas has ordered a divi- 
sion of cavalry to the vicinity of Sparta. I will ascertain if 
they have started, and inform you. It will be entirely out of 
the question to send you ten thousand men ; not because thoy 
cannot be spared, but bow could they be fed after they got one 
day east of here. *"U. S. Grant, Major-General. 

'''To Major-General A. E. Burnside.' 

"On the 1.5th. having received from the General-in-chief a 
despatch of date the i4th, in reference to Burnside's position, the 
dangt^r of his abandonment of East Tennessee unless immediate 
relief w-as afforded, and the terrible misfortune such a result 
would be to our arms, and also despatches from Mr. C. A. Dana, 
Assistant Secretary of War, and Colonel Wilson, of my staff, 
sent at the instance of General Burnside. informing me more 
fully of the condition of affairs as detailed to them by him, I 
telegraphed him as follows : 

"'Chattanooga, November lo^/i, 1863. 

" 'I do not know how to impress on you the necessity of hold- 
ing on to East Tennessee, in strong enough terms. According 
to the despatches of Mr. Dana and Colonel Wilson, it would 
seem that you should, if pressed to do it, hold on to Knoxville 
and that portion of the valley you will necessarily possess, hold- 
ing to that point. Should Longstreet move his whole force 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 145 

across the Little Tennessee, an effort should be made to cut his 
pontoons on that stream, even if it sacrificed half the cavalry of 
the Ohio Army. By holding on and placing Longstreet be- 
tween the Little Tennessee and Knoxville, he should not be 
allowed to escape with an army capable of doing any thing this 
winter. I can hardly conceive the necessity of retreating from 
East Tennessee. If I did at all, it would be after losing most of 
the army, and then the necessity would suggest the "route. I 
will not attempt to lay out a line of retreat. Kingston, look- 
ing at the map, I thought of more importance than any one 
point in East Tennessee. But my attention being called more 
closely to it, I can see that it might be passed by, and Knox- 
ville and the rich valley about it possessed, ignoring that place 
entirely. I should not think it advisable to concentrate a force 
near Little Tennessee to resist the crossing if it would be in 
danger of capture, but I would harass and embarrass progress in 
every way possible, reflecting on the fact that the Army of the 
Ohio is not the only army to resist the onward progress of the 
enemy. '"U. S. Grant, Major- General. 

'''To Major-General A. E. Burnside.' 

*' Previous reconnoissances, made first by Brigadier-General 
W. F. Smith, Chief Engineer, and afterward by Generals 
Thomas, Sherman, and myself in company with him, of the 
country opposite Chattanooga and north of the Tennessee Kiver, 
extending as far east as the mouth of the South Chickamanga 
and the north end of Mission Eidge, so far as the same could be 
made from the north bank of the river without exciting sus- 
picions on the part of the enemy, showed good roads" from 
Brown's Ferry up the river and back of the first range of hills 
opposite Chattanooga, and out of view of the enemy's positions. 
Troops crossing the bridge at Brown's Ferry could be seen and 
their numbers estimated by the enemy; but not seeing anything 
further of them as they passed up in rear of these hills, he would 
necessarily be at a loss to know whether they were movinfr to 
Knoxville or held on the north side of the river for future opera- 
tions at Chattanooga. It also showed that the north end of 
Mission Ridge was imperfectly guarded, and that the banks of 
the river, from the mouth of South Chickamauga Creek west- 
ward to his main line in front of Chattanooga, were watched only 
by a small cavalry picket. 'I'his determined the plan of opera- 
tions indicated in my despatch of the 14th to Burnside. 

" Upon further consideration — the great object being to m.ass 
all the forces possible against one given point, namely, Mission 
Kidge, converging toward the north end of it— it was deemed 
best to^ change the original plan, so far as it contemplated 
Hooker's attack on Lookout Mountain, which would give us 
Hovfard's corps of his command to aid in this purpose ; and on 
the 18th the following instructions were given Thomas : "All 
preparations should be made for attacking the enemy's positioa 



l-iQ LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

on Mission Kidg-e by Saturday at daylip^ht. Not beiiio- provided 
with a map giviim- names of roads. S[)U!S ol' the mountain, and 
other plac'.v-^, such di-fiuite instructions can not be yiven as mi^ht 
be desirable. However — the peueral phin, you understand, is 
for Sherman, with the force brought with him strengthened by a 
division from your command, to effect a crossing of the Tennes- 
see river just below the mouth of Chickamauga — his crossing to 
be protected by artillery from the heights on the north bank of 
the river (to l)e located by your Chief of Artillery), and to secure 
the heights from the northern extremity to about the railroad 
tunnel, before the enemy can concentrate against him. Yon 
will co-operate with Sherman. The troops in Chattanooga Val- 
ley sh(nild be well concentrated on your left flank, leaving only 
the necessary force to defend the IbrtiHcations on the right and 
centre, and a movable column of one division in readiness to 
move wherever ordered. This division should show itself as 
threateningly as possible on the most practicable line for making 
an attack up the valley. Your eflbrt tjien will be to foim a 
junction with Sherman, making your advance well toward the 
northern end of Mission Ridge, and moving as near sinmlta- 
ueously with him as possible. The junction once formed, and 
the Ridge carried, communications will be at once established 
between the two armies, by roads on the south bank of the river. 
Further movements will then depend on those of the enemy. 
Lookout Valley, I think, will be easily held by Geary's division 
and what troops you may still have then belonging to the old 
Army of the Cumberland. Howard's corps can then be held in 
readiness to act either with you at Chattanooga or with Siier- 
man. It should be marched on Friday night to a position on 
the north side of the river, not lower down than the first pontoon 
bridge, and then held in readiness for such orders as may become 
necessary. All these troops will be provided with two days' 
cooked rations in haversacks, and one hundred rounds of ani- 
muiiilion on t!ie person of each infantry soldier. Special care 
should be taken by all officers to see that ammunition is not 
wasted or unnecessarily fired away. You will call on the En- 
gineer Department for such preparations :is you may deem 
necessary for carrying your infantry and ariillery over the creek. 

" ' U. 8. Grant. Major- General. 
" ■ To Major-General Georgk H. Thomas.' 

" A copy of these instructions was furnished Sherman, with 
the following communication : 

'"Inclosed herewith I send you acopy of instructions to Major. 
General Thomas. You having been over the ground, in person, 
and having heard the whole matter discussed, fui'ther instruc- 
tions will not be necessary for you. It is particularly desirable 
that a force should be got through to the railroad, between 
C/leveland and Ualton, and Longstreet thus cut off from com- 
munication with the South ; but being confronted by a large 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 147 

force here, strongly located, it is not easy to tell how this is to 
be efft'cted, until the result of our first effort is known. I will 
add, however, what is not shown in ray instructions to Thomas, 
that a brigade of cavalry has been ordered here, which, if it 
arrives in time, will be thrown across the Tennessee, above 
Chickamauga, and maybe able to make the trip to Cleveland, or 
thereabouts. " ' U. S. G-rant, Majov-General. 

" 'To Major-General W. T. Sherman.' 

" Sherman's forces were moved from Bridgeport by way of 
Whitesides — one division threatening the enemy's left flank, in 
the direction of Trenton — crossing at Brown's Ferry, up the 
north bank of the Tennessee to near the mouth of South Chicka- 
mauga, where they were kept concealed from the enemy until 
they were ready to force a crossing. Pontoons, for throwing a 
bridge across the river, were built and placed in North Chicka- 
mauga, near its mouth, a few miles further up, without attracting 
the attention of the enemy. It was expected we would be able 
to effect the crossing on the 21st of November; but, owing to 
heavy rains, Sherman was unable to get up until the afternoon 
of the 23d, and then only with General Morgan L.Smith's, John 
E. Smith's and Huffh Ewing's divisions, of the 15th Corps, un- 
der command of Major-General Frank P. Blair, of his army. 
The pontoon bridge, at Brown's Ferry, having been broken by 
the drift consequent upon the rise in the river and rafts sent 
down by the enemy, the other division — Osterhaus' — was de- 
tained on the south side, and was, on the night of the 23d, or- 
dered, unless it could get across by 8 o'clock the next morn- 
ing, to report to Hooker, who was instructed, in this event, to 
attack Lookout Mountain, as contemplated in the original plan. 

"A deserter from the rebel army, who came into our lines en 
the night of the 22d of November!^ reported Bragg falling back. 
The following letter from Bragg, received by flag of truce, on the 
20th, tended to confirm this report : 

"'Head-Quarters, Army of Tennessee, 
" ' In the Field, November 20th, 1863. 
*"3£ajor- General U. S. Grant, Commanding United States 
Forces at Chattanooga : 
"'General: — As there may still be some non-combatants in 
Chattanooga, I deem it proper to notify you that prudence would 
dictate their early withdrawal. 

" -I am. General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
"'Braxtox Bragg, General- Commanding.' 

" Not being willing that he should get his army off in good 
order, Thomas was directed early on the morning of the 23d, to 
ascertain the truth or falsity of this report, by driving in his 
pickets and making him develop his lines. This he did with the 
troops stationed at Chattanooga, and Howard's Corps (which 



148 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

had been brought into Chattanoo2:a because of the apprehended 
danger to our pontoon bridges froin the rise in the river, and 
the enemy's rafts), in the most gal'ant style, driving' the enemy 
from his first line, securing to us what is known as 'Indian Hill,' 
or 'Orchard Knoll,' and the low range of hills south of it. 
These points were fortified during the night, and artillery put in 
position on them. The report of this deserter was evidently not 
intended to deceive, but he had mistaken Bragg's movcnients. 
It was afterward ascertained that one division of Buckner's 
corps had gone to join Longstreet, and a second division of the 
same corps had started, but was brought back in consequence of 
our attack, 

"On the night of the 28d of November, Sherman with three 
divisions of his army, strengthened by Davis' division of Thomas', 
which had been stationed along the north bank of the river, con- 
venient to where the crossing was to be effected, was ready for 
operations. At an hour sufficiently early to secure the south 
bank of the river, just below the mouth of South Chickamauga, 
by dawn of day, the pontoons in North Chickamauga were loaded 
with thirty armed men each, who floated quietly past the enemy's 
pickets, landed and captured all but one of the guard, twenty in 
luimber, before the enemy was aware of the presence of a foo. 
The steamboat Dunbar, with a barge in tow, after having finished 
ferrying across the river the horses procured from Sherman, with 
which to move Thomas' artillery, was sent up from Chattanooga to 
aid in crossing artillery and troops, and by daylight of the morning 
of the 2Gth of November eight thousacd men were on the south 
side of the Tennessee and fortified in rifle trenches. By 12 o'clock 
M. the pontoon bridges across the Tennessee and Chickamauga 
were laid and the remainder of Sherman's force crossed over, 
and at half past 3 p,m,, the whole of the northern extremity of 
Mission Ridge, near the railroad tunnel, was in Sherman's pos- 
session. During the night he fortified the position thus secured, 
making it equal, if not superior in strength, to that held by the 
enemy. 

" By three o'clock of the same da3% Colonel Long, with his 
brigade of cavalry, of Thomas' army, crossed to the south side 
of the Tennessee, and to the north of South Chickamauga Creek, 
and made a raid on the enemy's lines of communication. He 
burned Tyner's Station, with many stores, cut the railroad at 
Cleveland, captured near a hundred wagons and over two hun- 
dred prisoners. His own loss was small, 

*' Hooker carried out the part assigned to him for this day 
equal to the most sanguine expectations With Geary's division 
(Twelfth Corps) and two brigades of Stanley's division (Fourth 
corps), of Thomas' army, and Osterhaus' division (Fifteenth 
corps), of Sherman's army, he scaled the western slope of 
Lookout Mountain, drove the enemy from his rifle-pits on the 
northern extremity and slope of the mountain, capturing many 
prisoners, without serious loss. 



LIFE OF LIEUTEXANT-GKXERAL GRANT. 149 

"Thomas having done on the twenty-third, with his troops in 
Chattanooga, what was intended for the twenty-fourth, bettered 
and strengthened his advanced positions during thcj day, and 
pushed the Eleventh corps forward along the south bank of the 
Tennessee river acro:5s Citico creek, one brigade of which, 
with Howard in person, reached iSherman just as he had com- 
pleted the crossing of the river. 

" When [looker emerged in sight of the northern extremity 
of Lookout Mountain, Carlin's brigade, of the Fourteenth 
corps, was ordered to cross Chattanooga creek, and furm a 
junction with him. This was effected late in the evening, and 
after considerable fighting. 

" Thus on the night of the twenty-fourth our force maintained 
an unbroken line, with open communications from the north end 
of Lookout Mountain through Chattanooga Valley to the north 
end of Mission Ridge. 

" On the morning of the twenty-fifth, Hooker took possession 
of the mountain top with a small force, and with the remainder 
of his command, in pursuance of orders, swept across Chatta- 
nooga Valley, now abandoned by the enemy, to Rossville. In 
this march he was detained four hours building a bridge across 
Chattanooga creek. From Rossville he ascended Mission 
Jlidge, and moved southward toward the centre of that now 
shortened line. 

"Sherman's attack upon the enemy's most northern and most 
vital point, was vigorously kept up all day. The assaulting 
column advanced to the very rifle-pits of the enemy, and held 
their position firmly and without wavering. The riglit of the 
assaulting column being exposed to the danger of being turned, 
two brigades were sent to its support. These advanced in the 
most gallant manner over an open field on the mountain side to 
near the works of the enemy, and laid there partially covered 
from fire for some time. The right of these two brigades rested 
near the head of a ravine or gorge in the mountain side, which 
the enemy took advantage of and sent troops covered from view 
below them and to their right rear. Being unexpectedly fired 
into from this direction, they fell back across the open field 
below them and reformed in good order in the edge of the tim- 
ber. The column which attacked them Avas speedily driven to 
their intrenchments by the assaulting column proper. 

" Early on the morning of the twenty-fifth the remainder of 
Howard's corps reported to Sherman, and constituted a part tf 
his forces during that day's battle, the pursuit and subsequent 
advance for the relief of Knoxviile. 

" Sherman's position not only threatened the right flank of the 
enemy, but from his occupying a line across the mountain, and 
to the railroad bridge across Chickamauga creek, his rear and 
stores at Chickamauga station. This caused the enemy to mass 
heavily against him. 'i'his movement of his being plainly seen 



150 LIFE OF LTEUTEXAXT-GEXEIIAL GRANT. 

from the position I occupied on Orcliard Knoll, Baird's division 
of the Fourteenth corps was ordered to Sherman's support, but 
receiving a note from Sherman informing me that he had all the 
force necessary, Baird was put in position on Thomas' left. 

"The appearance of Hooker's column was at this time anxi- 
ously looked for and momentarily expected, moving north on 
the ridge, with his left in Chattanooga Valley, and his right ejist 
of the ridge. His approach was intended as the signal for 
storming the ridge in the centre with strong columns ; but the 
time necessarily consumed in the construction of the bridge 
near Chattanooga creek, detained him to a later hour than was 
expected. Being satisfied from the latest information from him 
that he must by this time be on his way from Rossville, though 
not }<e.t in sight, and discovering that the enemy, in his d(>speration 
to defeat or resist the progress of Sherman, was weakening his 
centre on Mission Ridge, determined me to order the advance 
at once. Thomas was'accordingly directed to move forward his 
troops, constituting our centre. "Baird's division (Fourteenth 
corps). Wood's and Sheridan's divisions (Fourth corps), and 
Johnson's division (Fourteenth corps), with a double line 
of skirmishers thrown out followed in easy supporting distance 
by the whole force, and carry the rifle-pits at the foot of Mission 
Ridge, and when carried to reform his lines in the rifle-pits 
■with a view to carrying the top of the ridge. 

"These troops moved forward and drove the enemy from the 
rifle-pits at the base of the ridge like bees from a hive— stopped 
but a moment until the whole were in line, and commenced the 
ascent of the mountain from right to left almost simultaneously, 
following closely the retreating enemy without further orders. 
They encountered a fearful volley of grape and canister from 
near thirty pieces of artillery, and musketry from well-filled 
rifle-pits on the summit of the ridge. Not a waver, however, 
was seen in all that long line of brave men. Their progress 
was steadily onward until the summit was in their possession. 
In this charge the casualties were remarkably few for the fire 
encountered. I can account for this only on the theory that 
the enemy's surprise at the audacity of such a charge caused 
confusion and purposeless aiming of their pieces. 

" The nearness of night and the enemy still resisting the 
advance of Thomas' left, ^prevented a general pursuit that night, 
but, Sheridan pushed forward to Mission Mills. 

"The resistance on Thomas' left being overcome, the enemy 
abandoned his position near the railroad tunnel in front of 
Sherman, and by 12 o'clock at night was in full retreat, and the 
whole of his strong positions on Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga 
Valley, and Mission Ridge, was in our possession, together with 
a large number of prisoners, artillery, and small arms. 

"Thomas was directed to get Granger, with his r.()ri)s, and de- 
tachments enough from other commands, including the force 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENEPvAL GRANT. 151 

available at Kingston, to make 20,000 men, in readiness to go to 
the relief of Knoxville, upon the termination of the battle at 
Chattanooga, these troops to take with them four days rations, 
and a steamboat, loaded with rations, to follow up the river, 

" On the evening of the twenty-fifth of November orders were 
given to both Thomas and Sherman to pursue the enemy early 
the next morning, with all their available force, except that un- 
der Granger, intended for the relief of Knoxville. 

"On the morning of the twenty-sixth, Sherman advanced 
by way of Chickamauga Station, and Thomas' forces, under 
Hooker and Palmer, moved on the Rossville road toward Gray- 
ville and Ringgold. 

" The advance of Thomas' forces reached Ringgold on the 
morning of the twenty-seventh, when they found the enemy in 
strong position in the gorge and on the crest of Taylor's Ridge, 
from which they dislodged him after a severe fight, in which we 
lost heavily in valuable officers and men, and continued the pur- 
suit that day until near Tunnel Hill, a distance of twenty miles 
from Chattanooga. 

" Davis' division (Fourteenth corps) of Sherman's column 
reached Ringgold about noon of the same day. Howard's corps 
was sent by Sherman to Red Clay, to destroy the railroad be- 
tween Dalton and Cleveland, and thus cut off Bragg's com- 
munication with Longstreet, which was successfully accom- 
plished. 

"Had it not been for the imperative necessity of relieving 
Burnside, I would have pursued the broken and demoralized 
retreating enemy as long as supplies could have been found in 
the country. But my advices were, that Burnside's supplies 
could only last until the third of December. It was already 
getting late to afford the necessary relief. I determined, there- 
fore, to pursue no further. Hooker was directed to hold the 
position he then occupied until the night of the thirtieth, but 
to go no further south at the expense of a fight. Sherman was 
directed to march to the railroad-crossing of the Hiawassee, to 
protect Granger's flank until he was across that stream, and to 
prevent further reinforcements being sent by that route into East 
Tennessee. 

" Returning from the front on the twenty-eighth, I found that 
Granger had not yet got off", nor would he have the number 
of men I had directed. Besides, he moved with reluctance 
and complaint. I therefore determined, notwithstanding the 
fact that two divisions of Sherman's forces had marched from 
Memphis, and had gone into battle immediately on their arrival 
at Chattanooga, to send him with his command ; and orders in 
accordance therev/ith were sent him at Calhoun to assume com 
mand of the troops with Granger, in addition to those with him, 
and proceed with all possible despatch to the relief of Burnside 

•'General Elliott had been ordered by Thomas on the twenty- 



152 LIFK or LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

sixth of November to proceed from Alexandria, Tennessee, to 
Knoxville with his cavalry division, to aid in the relief of that 
place. 

"The approach of Sherman caused Longstreet to raise the 
Bieo-e of Knoxviile and retreat eastward on the night of the 6th 
of December. Sherman succeeded in throwing his cavalry into 
Knoxville on the night of the 3d. 

" Sherman arrived in person at Knoxville on the 5th, and 
after a conference with Burnside in reference to 'organizing a 
pursuing force large enough to overtake the enemy and beat him 
or drive him out of the State,' Burnside was of the opinion that 
the corps of Granger, in conjunction with his own command, 
was sufiBcient for that purpose, and on the 7th addressed to Sher- 
man the following communication : 

" * Knoxville, December 1th, 1863. 
" *To Major-General Sherman : 

"'I desire to express to you and to your command my most 
hearty thanks and gratitude for your promptness in coming to 
our relief during the siege of Knoxville, and I am satisfied that 
your approach served to raise the siege. The emergency having 
passed, 1 do not deem, for the present, any other portion of your 
command but the corps of General Granger necessary Tor opera- 
tion in this section ; and inasmuch as (general Grant has weak- 
ened the forces immediately with him, in order to relieve us, 
thereby rendering portions of General Thomas' less secure, I 
deem it advisable that all the troops nowhere, except those com- 
manded by General Granger, should return at once to within 
supporting distance of the forces operating against Bragg's 
army. In behalf of my command, I again desire to thank you 
and your command for the kindness you have done us. 

*"A. E. Burnside, 3Iaj or- General.* 

"Leaving Granger's command at Knoxville, Sherman, with 
the remainder of his forces, returned by slow marches to Chatta- 
nooga. 

*' I have not spoken more particularly of the result of the pur- 
suit of the enemy, because the more detailed reports accompany- 
ing this do the subject justice. For the same reason 1 have not 
particularized the part taken by corps and division commanders. 

"To Brigadier-General W. F. Smith, Chief Engineer, I feel 
under more than ordinary obligations for the masterly manner 
in which he discharged the duties of his position, and desire that 
his services be fully appreciated by higher authorities. 

" The members of my staff discharged faithfully their respec- 
tive duties, for which they have my warmest thanks. 

"Our losses in these battles were 757 killed, 4529 wounded 
and 330 missing; total, 5616. The loss of the enemy in killed 
and wounded was probably less than ours, owing to the fact that 
he was protected by his intreochments, while our men were with- 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 163 

out cover. At Knoxville, however, his loss was many times 
greater than ours, making his entire loss at the two places equal 
to. if not exceeding ours. We captured 6,142 prisoners, of whom 
239 were commissioned officers ; 40 pieces of artillery, 69 artil- 
lery carriages and caissons, and 7,000 stand of small arms. 

''The armies of the Cumberland and the Tennessee, for their 
energy and unsurpassed bravery in the three days battle of Chat- 
tanooga and the pursuit of the enemy ; their patient endurance 
in marching to the relief of Knoxville ; and the Army of the Ohio, 
for its masterly defence of Knoxville and repeated repulses of 
Longstreet's assaults upon that place, are deserving of the grati- 
tude of their country. 

" I have the honor to be, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient 
servant, " U. S. Grant, 

''Major-General, U. S. Armyy 

GENERAL MEIGS^S REVIEW OP THE BATTLES. 

Add to this report the one sent to the Secretary of War 
by Quartermaster-General Meigs, and we have an accurate 
and interesting account of the great battles. 

General Meigs wrote as follov^^s : 

" Head-Quarters, Chattanooga, Nov. 2Qth, 1863. 
" Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War : 

"Sir: — On the twenty-third instant, at half-past eleven, a.m., 
General Grant ordered a demonstration against Missionary 
Kidge, to develop the force holding it. The troops marched 
out, formed in order, and advanced in line of battle as if on 
parade. 

"The rebels watched the formation and movement from their 
picket lines and rifle-pits, and from the summits of Missionary 
Ridge, five hundred feet above us, and thought it was a review 
and drill, so openly and deliberately, so regular, was it all done. 

" The line advanced, preceded by skirmishers, and at two 
o'clock, P.M., reached our ])icket lines, and opened a rattling 
volley upon the rebel pickets, who replied and ran into their ad- 
vanced line of rifle-pits. After them went our skirmishers and 
into them, along the centre of the line of twenty-five thousand 
troops which General Thomas had so quickly displayed, until 
we opened fire. Prisoners assert that they thought the whole 
movement was a review and general drill, and that it was too 
late to send to their camps for leinforcements, and that they 
were overwhelmed by force of numbers. It was a surprise iu 
open daylight. 

"At three, p.m., the important advanced position of Orchard 
Knob and the lines right and left were in our possession, and ar- 
rangements were ordered for holding them during the night. 

" The next day at daylight. General Sherman had five thousand 



154 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

men across the Tennessee, and established on its south bank, 
and commenced the construction of a pontoon biidge about six 
miles above Chattanooga. The rebel steamer Dunbar was re- 
paired at the right moment, and rendered effective aid in this 
crossing, cari'ying over six thousand men. 

"By nighttali General Thomas had seized the extremity of 
Missionary Ridge nearest the river, and was intrenching himself. 
General Howard, with a brigade, opened communication with 
him from Chattanooga on the south side of the river. Skirmish- 
ing and cannonading continued all day on the left and centre. 
General Hooker scaled the slopes of Lookout Mountain, and 
from the valley of Lookout Creek drove the rebels around the 
point. He captured some two thousand prisoners, and estab- 
lished himself high up the mountain-side, in full view of Chatta- 
nooga. This raised the blockade, and now steamers were or- 
dered from Bridgeport to Chattanooga. They had run only to 
Kelley's Ferry, whence ten miles of hauling over mountain roads 
and twice across the Tennessee on pontoon bridges brought us 
our supplies. 

"All night the point of Missionary Ridge on the extreme left 
and the side of Lookout Mountain on the extreme right blazed 
with the camp-fires of loyal troops. 

''The day had been one of dense mists and rains, and much 
of General Hooker's battle was fought above the clouds, which 
concealed him from our view, but from which his musketry was 
heard. 

"At nightfall the sky cleared, and the full moon — ' the traitor's 
doom' — shone upon the beautiful scene, until one, a.m., when 
twinkling sparks upon the mountain-side showed that picket- 
skirmishing was going on. Then it ceased. A brigade sent 
from Chattanooga, crossed the Chattanooga Creek and opened 
communication with Hooker. 

" General Grant's head-quarters during the afternoon of the 
twenty-third and the day of the twenty- fourth, were in Wood's 
redoubt, except when in the course of the day he rode along the 
advanced line, visiting the head-quarters of the several com- 
manders, in Chattanooga valley. 

"At daylight, on the twenty-fifth, the Stars and Stripes were 
descried on the peak of Lookout. The rebels had evacuated the 
mountain. 

" Hooker moved to descend the mountain, striking Missionary 
Ridge at the Rossville Gap, to sweep both sides and its summit. 

"The rebel troops were seen, as soon as it was light enough, 
streaming regiments and brigades along the narrow summit of 
Missionary Ridge, either concentrating on the right to over- 
whelm Sherman, or marching for the railro'ad to raise the siege. 

" They had evacuated the valley of Chattanooga. Would they 
abandon that of Chickamauga? 

"The twenty-pounders and four-and-a-quarter-inch rifles of 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 155 

Wood's redoubt opened on Missionary Ridg'e. Orchard Knob 
sent its complinieuts to the Ridge, which, with rifled Parrots, 
answered, and the cannonade tluis commenced, coutinned all 
day. Shot and shell screamed from Orchard Knob to Mission- 
ary Ridge, and from Missionary Ridge to Orchard Knob, and 
from Wood's redoubt, over the heads of Generals Grant and 
Thomas and their staffs, who were with us in this favorable po- 
sition, from whence the whole battle could be seen as in an am- 
phitheatre. The head-quarters were under fire all day long. 

"Cannonading and musketry were heard from General Sher- 
man, and General Howard marched the Eleventh corps to join 
him. 

" General Thomas sent out skirmishers, who drove in the rebel 
pickets and chased them into their intrenchments ; and at the 
foot of Missionary Ridge, Sherman made an assault against 
Bragg's right, intrenched on a high knob next to that on which 
Sherman himself lay fortified. The assault was gallantly made. 

" Sherman reached the edge of the crest, and held his ground 
for (it seemed to me) an hour, but was bloodily repulsed by re- 
serves. 

"A general advance was ordered, and a strong line of skir- 
mishers followed by a deployed line of battle some two miles in 
length. At the signal of leaden shots from head-quarters on 
Orchard Knob, the line moved rapidly and orderly forward. The 
rebel pickets discharged their muskets and ran into their rifle- 
pits. Our skirmishers followed on their heels. 

" The line of battle was not far behind, and we saw the gray 
rebels swarm out of the ledge line of rifle-pits and over the base 
of the hill in numbers which surprised us. A few turned and 
tired their pieces ; but the greater number collected into the 
many roads which cross obliquely up its steep face, and went on 
to the top. 

" Some regiments pressed on and swarmed up the steep sides 
of the Ridge, and here and there a color was advanced beyond 
the lines. The attempt appeared most dangerous ; but tlie ad- 
vance was supported, and the whole line was ordered to storm 
the heights, upon which not less than forty pieces of artillery, 
and no one knows how many muskets, stood ready to slaughter 
the assailants. With cheers answering to cheers, the men 
swarmed upward. 'J'hey gathered to the points least difficult 
of access, and the line was broken. Color after color was planted 
on the summit, while musket and cannon vomited their thunder 
upon them. 

"A well-directed shot from Orchard Knob exploded a rebel 
caisson on the summit, and the gun was seen being speedily taken 
to the right, its driver lashing his horses. A party of our sol- 
diers intercepted them, and the gun was captured with cheers. 

"A tierce musketiy fight broke out to the left, where, betweea 
Thomas and Sherman, a mile or two of the ridge was still occu- 
pied by the rebels. 



156 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

" Bragg left the house in which he had held his head-quarters, 
and rode to the rear, as our troops crowded the hill on either 
Bide of him, 

" General Grant proceeded to the summit, and then only did 
we know its height. 

" Some of the captured artillery was put into position. Artil- 
lerists were sent for to work the guns, and caissons were searched 
for ammunition. 

" The rebel log-breastworks were torn to pieces and carried 
to the other side of the ridge and used in forming barricades 
across. 

"A strong line of infantry was formed in the rear of Baird's 
line, and engaged in a musketry contest with the rebels to the 
left, and a secure lodgment was soon effected. 

" The other assault to the right of our centre gained the 
summit, and the rebels threw down their arms and fled. 

" Hooker, coming into favorable position, swept the right of 
the ridge and captured many prisoners. 

" Bragg's remaining troops left early in the night, and the 
battle of Chattanooga, after days of manoeuvring and fighting, 
was won. The strength of the rebellion in the centre is broken. 
Burnside is relieved from danger in East Tennessee. Kentucky 
and Tennessee are rescued. Georgia and the Southeast are 
threatened in the rear, and another victory is added to the chap- 
ter of ' Unconditional Surrender Grant.' 

" To-night the estimate of captures is several thousand prison- 
ers and thirty pieces of artillery. 

" Our loss for so great a victory is not severe. 

" Bragg is firing the railroad as he retreats towards Dalton. 
Sherman is in hot pursuit. 

" To-day I viewed the battle-field, which extends for six miles 
along Missionary Ridge, and for several miles on Lookout 
Mountain. 

"Probably not so well-directed, so well-ordered a battle has 
taken place during the war. But one assault was repulsed ; but 
that assault, by calling to that point the rebel reserves, pre- 
vented them repulsing any of the others. 

"A few days since General Bragg sent to General Grant a 
flag of truce, advising him that it would be prudent to remove 
any non-combatants who might be still in Chattanooga. No 
reply has been returned ; but the combatants having removed 
from this vicinity, it is probable that non-combatants can remain 
without imprudence. 

"M. C. Meigs, Quartermaster-General." 

TRIBUTES PROM GENERALS HALLECK AND 
SCOTT, AND PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 

General Halleck, in referring in his annual report to this 
brilliant campaign, remarks : " Considering the strength 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 157 

of the rebel position and the difficulty of storming his in- 
trenchments, the battle of Chattanooga must he considered 
the most remarkable in history. Not only did the officers 
and men exhibit great skill and daring in their operations 
on the field, but the highest praise is due to the command- 
ing general for his admirable dispositions for dislodging 
the enemy from a position apparently impregnable. More- 
over, by turning his right flank and throwing him back 
upon Ringgold and Dalton, Sherman's forces were inter- 
posed between Bragg and Longstreet, so as to prevent 
any possibility of their forming a junction." 

On the seventh of December, 1863, the President of the 
United States issued the following proclamation, calling 
the people together to give thanks for the victories : 

" Executive Mansion. 
" Washington, D. C, December 1th, 1863. 
" Reliable information being received that the insurgent force 
is retreating from East Tennessee, under circumstances render- 
ing it probable that the Union forces cannot hereafter be dis- 
lodged from that important position ; and esteeming this to be 
of high national consequence, I recommend that all loyal people 
do, on receipt of this information, assemble at their places of 
worship, and render special homage and gratitude to Almighty 
God for this great advancement of the national cause. 

"A. Lincoln." 

And on the following day he thus personally acknowl- 
edged his appreciation of General Grant's services, in a 
telegraphic despatch, which was subsequently read to the 
troops : 

" Washington, December 6th, 1863. 
*' Major-General Grant : 

" Understanding that your lodgment at Chattanooga and 
Knoxville is now secure, I wish to tender you and all under your 
command my more than thanks — my profoundest gratitude — for 
the skill, courage, and perseverance with which you and they, 
over so great difficulties, have effected that important object. 
God bless you all ! 

"A. Lincoln." 

General Winfield Scott rendered tribute to the hero, 
10 



158 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

who, he said, had displayed more military skill than any 
general had exhibited on our side ; and he was the more 
surprised at it from the fact that he could only remember 
him as a young lieutenant in the Mexican war, of un- 
doubted courage, but giving no promise of any thing 
beyond ordinary abilities. 

GENERAL GRANT'S INTREPIDITY IN BATTLE. 

Of the intrepidity of General Grant during the pro- 
tracted struggle, one of his staff thus wrote : 

" I need not describe to you the recent battle of Chattanooga, 
the papers have given every possible detail concerning it. 
I may only say that I saw it all, and was in the five days' fight. 
In General Grant's staff only one was wounded, a Lieutenant 
Turner, Assistant Chief of Artillery, whose parents formerly 
lived at Batavia, N. Y., but now of Chicago. It has been a 
matter of uaiversal wonder in this army that General Grant 
himself was not killed, and that no more accidents occurred to 
his staff, for the general was always in the front (his staff with 
him, of course), and perfectly heedless of the storm of hissing 
bullets and screaming shell flying around him. His apparent 
want of sensibility does not arise from heedlessness, heartless- 
ness, or vain military affectation, bnt from a sense of responsi- 
bility resting upon him when in battle. When at Ringgold, we 
rode for half a mile in the face of the enemy, under an incessant 
fire of cannon and musketry, nor did we ride fast, but upon an 
ordinary trot, and not once do I believe did it enter the general's 
mind that he was in danger. I was by his side and watched him 
closely. In riding that distance we were going to the front, and 
I could see that he was studying the positions of the two armies, 
and, of course, planning how to defeat the enemy, who was here 
making a most desperate stand, and was slaughtering our men 
fearfully. After defeating and driving the enemy here we returned 
to Chattanooga. 

" Another feature in General Grant's personal movements is, 
that he requires no escort beyond his staff, so regardless of dan- 
ger is he. Roads are almost useless to him, for he takes short 
' cuts through fields and woods, and will swim his horse through 
almost any stream that obstructs his way. Nor does it make any 
difference to him whether he has daylight for his movements, for 
he will ride from breakfast until two o'clock in the morning, and 
that too without eating. The next day he will repeat the dose, 
until he finishes his work. Now such things come hard upon 
the staff, but they have learned how to bear it." 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 159 

By these victories it had been decided that the produc- 
tive region of East Tennessee, rich in the elements and 
munitions of war, and on which large drafts had been 
made by the rebel leaders for supplies, should remain in 
our hands. This was the gateway into Georgia and the 
Gulf States, which was now opened by the genius of Gen- 
eral Grant and the bravery of his now magnificent army. 

GENERAL GRANT THANKS HIS TROOPS. 

Thejfollowing order was read to the troops : 

-'' "Head-Quarters, Military Division of the Mississippi, 
"In the Field, Chattanooga, Tenn,, Dec. 10, 1863, 

"The General commanding takes this opportunity of return- 
ing his sincere thanks and congratulations to the brave armies of 
the Cumberland, the Ohio, the Tennessee, and their comrades 
from the Potomac, for the recent splendid and decisive successes 
achieved over the enemy. In a short time you have recovered 
from him the control of the Tennessee river from Bridgeport to 
Knoxville. You dislodged him from his great stronghold upon 
Lookout mountain, drove him from Chattanooga valley, wrested 
from his determined grasp the possession of Missionary ridge, 
repelled with heavy loss to him his repeated assaults upon Knox- 
ville, forcing him to raise the siege there, driving him at all 
points, utterly routed and discomfitted beyond the limits of the 
State. By your noble heroism and determined courage, you 
have most effectually defeated the plans of the enemy for regain- 
ing possession of the States of Kentucky and Tennessee. 

" You have secured positions from which no rebellious power 
can drive or dislodge you. For all this the General command- 
ing thanks you collectively and individually. The loyal people 
of the United States thank and bless you. Their hopes and 
prayers for your success against this unholy rebellion are with 
you daily. Their faith in you will not be in vain. Their hopes 
will not be blasted. Their prayers to Almighty God will be 
answered. You will go to otlier fields of strife ; and, with the 
invincible bravery and unflinching loyalty to justice and right 
which have characterized you in the past, you will prove that no 
enemy can withstand you, and that no defenses, however formi- 
dable, can check your onward march. 

" By order of " U. S. Grant, Major -General.'' 



160 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

THANKS OP CONGRESS AND A GOLD MEDAL. 

Congress assembled ou Monday, the 8lb of December, 
1863, when the news of General Grant's last success was 
creating a sensation on the streets of Washington. The 
first resolution passed at this, the thirty-eighth session, 
was offered by Hon. Wm. Washburne, of Illinois, and 
passed both houses unanimously, without debate, as fol- 
lows : 

" Be it resolved hy the Striate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
thanks of Congress be and they hereby are presented to Major- 
General Ulysses S. Grant, and through him to the officers and 
soldiers who have fought under his command during this rebel- 
lion, for their gallantry and good conduct in the battles in 
which they have been engaged ; and that the President of the 
United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, 
with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be presented 
to Major-General Grant. 

" Section 2. And be it further resolved, That, when the said 
medal shall have been struck, the President shall cause a copy 
of this joint resolution to be engrossed on parchment, and shall 
transmit the same, together with the said medal, to Major-Gen- 
eral Grant, to be presented to him in the name of the people of 
the United States of America. 

" Section 3. And be it further resolved, That a sufficient sum 
of money to carry this resolution into effect is hereby appropri- 
ated oat of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropri- 
ated." 

And on the ITth day of December the resolution re- 
ceived the President's approval. 

This medal on one side presents a profile of the General, 
surrounded by a laurel wreath, beneath which is his name 
and the dates of his victories. On the obverse is the fig- 
ure of Fame reclining on the American eagle, shielded ; 
Fame holding in her right hand a trumpet, and in her left 
a scroll on which is inscribed "Yicksburg, Corinth, Mis- 
sissippi KiVER, Chattanooga;" on her head an ornamented 
helmet. Beneath all, are represented sprigs of pine and 
palm intertwined ; while over all are the words " Proclaim 
Liberty throughout all the Land.^^ 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 161 

His praise was in every raoiith. The press lauded his 
triumph in applauding leaders. Legislatures passed reso- 
lutions thanking him for his public services ; and various 
religious and civic societies publicly testified their gratitude 
to him. A pair of Colt's revolvers, with handles of black 
horn, beautifully polished, and the barrels, magazines, and 
other steel parts elaborately inlaid with pure gold, beaten 
into a design previously cut out of the steel, the whole 
enclosed in a handsome rosewood box, lined with velvet, 
and accompanied by all the tools, etc., belonging to them, 
the cartridge boxes and the equipments being of solid 
silver, were presented to him by several of his personal 
friends. Honors were showered upon him in profusion 
at every place he went. 

HH VISITS THE OUTPOSTS. 

The rebel cavalry Generals, Wheeler, Morgan, Forrest, 
and Rhoddy, had increased their commands, and were 
already on the move, in various directions, to harass 
Grant, by pouncing upon the garrisons along our lines of 
communication, and were bidding fair to turn their opera- 
tions to some favorable account. 

Wiith the view of thoroughly understanding his posi- 
tion. General Grant visited all the points along his lines, 
journeying over the mountainous regions of the Cumber- 
land, passing through Knoxville and Nashville in his 
progress. 

At Knoxville he was called upon by the people for a 
speech, in answer to which General Leslie Coombs was 
obliged to say that " General Grant had told him in con- 
fidence that he had never made a speech, knew nothing 
about speech-making, and had no disposition to learn." 
After thoroughly examining the country, and having 
re-opened the railroad communications between Nashville 
and Chattanooga, General Grant arrived at Louisville, 



162 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

Kentucky, on the 11th of January, 1864, and, returning, 
reached Chattanooga on the 13th. 

AT ST. LOUIS— A PUBLIC DINKER. 

Learning that his son was ill at home, General Grant 
paid a visit to St. Louis, which he reached on the 26th. 
He was not idle here, employing his time in visiting and 
inspecting the National defences. He was invited by the 
citizens of St. Louis to a public dinner, which he attended. 
About two hundred guests were present on the occasion. 
Judge Treat presided. Generals Rosecrans, Schofield, 
Osterhaus, Totten, McNeill, and other distinguished mili- 
tary gentlemen, together with the father-in-law of General 
Grant, were present. In response to a toast in his honor, 
General Grant said it was impossible for him to do more 
than thank his fellow-citizens. A letter from the city 
council was read, conveying their great esteem, regard, 
and indebtedness due his modest, unswerving energies, 
swayed neither by the mighty successes which had 
crowned his genius and his efforts in behalf of the Govern- 
ment, nor by the machinations of politics, which were 
regarded as evidences of the true patriot and soldier. 

This sentiment was read : 

" Majoe-General Grant: he is emphatically U. S. Grant, 
for he has given US and the U. S. an earnest of those victories 
-which will finally rescue the nation from the rebellion and its 
curse — American Slavery'' 

He was loudly importuned by the crowd for a speech, 
as he stood upon the verandah of the hotel, after the 
ceremonies of the dinner, smoking his inevitable cigar ; 
but he could only assure his friends that he could not and 
never intended to make a speech. 

LETTER TO THE WESTERN SANITARY COM- 
MISSION. 
General Grant, in response to an invitation to attend a 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 163 

Xiublic meeting of the citizens of St. Louis in aid of the 
Western Sanitary Commission, wrote a letter on the 31st 
of January, 1864, declining the invitation, owing to his 
proposed return to active duties, as follows : 

" The gratuitous offerings of our loyal citizens at home, 
through the agency of Sanitary Commissions, to our 
brave soldiers in the field, have been to them the most 
encouraging and gratifying evidence that, whilst they are 
risking life and health for the suppression of this most 
wicked rebellion, their friends, who cannot assist them 
with musket and sword, are with them in sympathy and 
heart. The Western Sanitary Commission have issued 
many tons of stores to the army under my command. 
These voluntary offerings of this and other kindred asso- 
ciations have made glad the hearts of many thousands of 
wounded and sick soldiers, who otherwise would have 
been subjected to severe privations. I hope for you a full 
and enthusiastic meeting, and a fair to follow, which will 
bring together many old friends, who have been kept 
apart for the last three years, and unite them all again in 
one common cause — that of our country and of peace." 

GENERAL GRANT OPENS THE SPRING CAM- 
PAIGN. 

From St. Louis, General Grant went to Nashville, pass- 
ing through Louisville on the 3d of February, 1864, 
where he was serenaded. 

The rebel raiding cavalry had been rather worsted in 
their encounters with our forces. Our videttes in front 
of Chattanooga were pushed forward, when it was ascer- 
tained that the rebels under Johnston had suddenly retired 
beyond Ringgold and Dalton, taking positions with the 
evident intention of holding the key to Georgia. It was 
apparent that Johnston had been re-inforced, in anticipa- 
tion of an onward movement of our forces. General 



164 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

Sherman was called in from Vicksburg, with the Six- 
teenth and Seventeenth Corps, under Generals Hurlbut 
and McPherson. General W. Long Smith, Grant's chief 
of cavalry, and Grierson, were marched south of Holly 
Springs, with a column of cavalry and mounted infantry, 
on a grand raid through Mississippi. To supply troops 
for these movements, Corinth, and the line of the Mem- 
phis and Charleston Railroad as far east as General Lo- 
gan^s outposts, were abandoned, the fortifications having 
been destroyed and all public property removed. On the 
5th, General Sherman passed through Jackson, Missis- 
sippi, and on the 9th reached Morton in his onward 
march eastward. Sherman's main body was at Meridian 
on the 20th, and his advance had been pushed thirty-five 
miles beyond that point, when through the failure of 
another officer, whose column was to co-operate with this 
army, to make a junction with Sherman at the proper 
time, the latter was obliged to retreat on his base. The 
movement, had, however, the effect of frightening the 
rebels in the south-west to such an extent as to keep 
employed a large number of re-inforcements at Mobile, 
and with Polk, opposite Meridian, that otherwise would 
have been thrown upon some point along our extended 
lines, that might not have been prepared for an attack. 

In the mean time, the advance of General Grant's main 
body, under Schofield, was some forty miles east of Knox- 
ville, from the immediate front of which Longstreet had 
retired. General Thomas, at Chattanooga, was prepared 
to advance on Johnston. 

These were the preliminaries to the grand movements 
in the south-west, which were crowned with such great 
success — covering a region of country from the Alle- 
ghanies to the Mississippi, over which General Grant had 
supreme command ; and in this state of affairs, he was 
called to Washington by the President. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 165 

MAJOR-GENERAL ULYSSES S. GRANT MADE 
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMIES OP 
THE UNITED STATES. 

Coincident with the resolution of thanks to General 
Grant, adopted by Congress in December, 1863 was the 
introduction of a bill by Mr. Washburne, reviving the grade 
of Lieutenant-General of the army. This bill had been 
left without decisive action until Monday, the 1st of Feb- 
ruary, 1864, when the consideration of the bill was resumed. 
Some opposition was manifested against its passage. A 
resolution to lay the bill on the table was lost, and the 
bill passed by a decided vote, there being but nineteen 
votes against it. 

The bill authorized the President, whenever he should 
see fit, to appoint a commander of the army, subject to 
the action of the senate, " to be selected during the war, 
from among those officers in the military service of the 
United States, not below the grade of Major-General, 
most distinguished for courage, skill, and ability, and who 
being commissioned as Lieutenant-General, shall be author- 
ized, under the direction of the President, to command 
the armies of the United States." The pay, allowances, 
and staff of the Lieutenant-General to be selected were 
made the same as those fixed by the acts of May 28th, 
1798, and August 22d, 1842, Math the provision that noth- 
ing in the bill was to be construed in any way to affect 
the rank, pay, or allowances of Brevet Lieutenant-General 
Scott. Major-General Ulysses S. Grant was especially 
recommended in this bill for the appointment. 

Some attacks having been made upon the object of the 
bill, Mr. Washburne again came to the rescue. He said, 
in the course of his speech upon the question, alluding to 
General Grant : 

" Look at what this man has done for his country, for 
humanity, and civilization — this modest and unpretend- 



166 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

ing General, whom gentlemen appear to be so much afraid 
of. He has fought more battles and won more victories 
than any living man. He has captured more prisoners 
and taken more guns than any General of modern times. 
To us in the great valley of the West he has rendered a 
service in opening our great channel of communication to 
the ocean, so that the great ' Father of Waters' now goes 
* un vexed to the sea,' which endears him to all our hearts. 
Sir, when his blue legions crowned the crest of Yicksburg, 
and the hosts of the rebellion laid their arms at the feet of 
this great conqueror, the rebel Confederacy was cut in 
twain, and the back bone of the rebellion was broken. 
At that moment was seen in General Grant that greatest 
of all gifts — of a military man — the gift of deciding in- 
stantty amid the pressure of the greatest emergencies, I 
was with him when Porter reported his inability to reduce 
the batteries ; and in an instant he made his new disposi- 
tions and gave his orders. They were to debark all his 
troops, and march them down three miles below Grand 
Gulf; 'and,' said he, 'after nightfall I will run every 
transport I have below their batteries, and not one shall 
be injured ;' and, sure enough, when it became dark. Por- 
ter again attacked the batteries with his fleet, and, amid 
the din and clatter of the attack, the transports all safely 
passed Grand Gulf. 

" And that which must ever be regarded by the historian 
as the most extraordinary feature of this campaign is the 
astounding fact that, when General Grant landed in the 
State of Mississippi and made his campaign in the enemy's 
country, he had a smaller force than the enemy. There 
he was, in the enemy's country, cut off, in a measure, from 
his supplies, with a great river in his rear, and in one of 
the most defensible of countries, through which he had to 
pass. To his indomitable courage and energy, to his un- 
paralleled celerity of movement, striking the enemy in 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 167 

detail, and beating him on every field, is the country in- 
debted for those wonderful successes of that campaign, 
which have not only challenged the gratitude and admira- 
tion of our own countrymen, but the admiration of the 
best military men of all ages. My colleague [Mr. Farns- 
worth] has well said, that General Grant is no carpet 
knight. If gentlemen could know him as I know him, and 
as his soldiers know him, they would not be so reluctant 
about conferring this honor. If they could have seen him 
as I saw him on that expedition ; if they could have wit- 
nessed his terrible earnestness, his devotion to his duty, 
his care, his vigilance, and his unchallenged courage, I 
think their opposition to this bill would give way. But 
gentlemen say ' wait, and confer this rank when the war 
is over.' 

" Sir, I want it conferred now, because it is my most 
solemn and earnest conviction that General Grant is the 
man upon whom we must depend to fight out this rebel- 
lion in the field, and bring this war to a speedy and tri- 
umphant close." 

Owing to some disagreements in the Senate, the bill 
went to a committee of conference, in which it was 
amended, making the appointment of Lieutenant-General 
to be during the pleasure of the President, and on the first 
of March, 1864, President Lincoln approved the bill, and 
on the next day sent into the Senate his message, appoint- 
ing, as Lieutenant-General of the armies of the United 
States, Major-General Ulysses S. Grant. The nomination 
was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. 

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL AND THE PEOPLE. 

The action of Congress and the President in appointing 
General Grant to this position was earnestly looked for by 
the people, who had learned to love him, mainly because 
in every instance where responsibility had been reposed in 



168 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

him, his indefatigable energy and perseverance, and his 
unsurpassed intrepidity in action, had worked out a vic- 
tory. 

GENERAL GRANT AT WASHINGTON. 

Lieutenant- General Grant arrived at Washington on the 
eighth of March, 1864, in obedience to the call of the Presi- 
dent, accompanied by General Rawlings and Colonel 
Comstock, of his staff, and by his son. His coming was 
devoid of any ostentation on his part. Indeed, his pres- 
ence was not known until some hours after his arrival, 
when he was recognized at the hotel tea-table by a gentle- 
man who had seen the General at New Orleans. All the 
guests immediately rose to their feet in honor of the Lieu- 
tenant-General of the United States, and cheers rent the air. 

IS COMMISSIONED LIEUTENANT-GENERAL- 
PROCEEDINGS AT THE WHITE HOUSE. 

On the afternoon of the ninth of March, 1864, General 
Grant visited the White House, when he received his 
commission as Lieutenant- General. A large concourse 
of people had followed him to the executive mansion. 
President Lincoln greeted the general most cordially. 
There were present in the executive chamber, on this oc- 
casion, the entire Cabinet, General Halleck, and other dis- 
tinguished men. The President, holding the commission 
in his hand, said : 

" General Grant : The nation's appreciation of what 
you have already done, and its reliance upon you for what 
still remains to do in the existing great struggle, are now 
presented with this commission, constituting you Lieuten- 
ant-General of the armies of the United States. With this 
high honor devolves upon you, also, a corresponding re- 
sponsibility. 

" As the country herein trusts you, so, under God, it 
will sustain you. I scarcely need to add, that, with what 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 169 

I here speak for the country, goes my own hearty personal 
concurrence." 

Having received the commission, Lieutenant-General 
Grant answered : 

" Mr. President : I accept this commission with grati- 
tude for the high honor conferred. With the aid of the 
noble armies who have fought on so many battle-fields for 
our common country, it will be my earnest endeavor not 
to disappoint your expectations. I feel the full weight 
of the responsibility now devolving on me. I know that 
if it is properly met, it will be due to these armies ; and 
above all, to the favor of that Providence which leads both 
nations and men." 

Lieutenant-General Grant was then introduced to the 
Cabinet, and on the next day visited the Army of the 
Potomac in company with General Meade. 

LIEUTENANT- GEIsTER All GRANT AND 
GENERAL HALLEOK. 

On the evening of March 9th he had a long interview with 
General Halleck in reference to further plans and move- 
ments, and the following order was subsequently issued : 

" War Department, Adjutant General's Office, 
" Washington, if arc/i 12, 1864. 

" Genera-l Orders, No. 98. 

" The President of the United States orders as follows : 

" First. Major- General Halleck is, at his own request, relieved 
from duty as General-in-Chief of the army, and Lieutenant-Gen- 
eral U. S. Grant is assigned to the command of the armies of 
the United States. The head-quarters of the army will be in 
Washington, and also with Lieutenant-General Grant in the field. 

" Second. Major-General Halleck is assigned to-duty in Wash- 
ington as chief of staff of the army, under the direction of the 
Secretary of War and the Lieutenant-General commanding. 
His orders will be obeyed and respected accordingly. 

" Third. Major-General W. T. Sherman is assigned to the 
command of the Military Division of the Mississippi, composed 
of the Departments of the Ohio, the Cumberland, the Tennessee, 
and the Arkansas. 



170 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

" Fourth. Major-Geueral J. B. McPherson is assigned to the 
command of the Department and Army of the Tennessee. 

" Fifth. In relievin<^ ^Major-General Halleck from duty as Gen- 
eral-in-Chief, the President desires to express his approbation 
and thanks for the able and zealous manner in which the ardu- 
ous and responsible duties of that position have been performed. 
" By order of the " Secretary of War." 

" HEAD-QUARTERS IN THE FIELD." 
If there was really any opposition to the appointment 
of Grant as Lieutenant-General, it came from a class of 
men of a practical turn of mind, who had witnessed General 
Grant's great ability in the field, and who had learned to 
think that his actual presence with our armies in action was 
of prime importance. They regretted this popular move- 
ment, because they could but regard it as detrimental to 
our success, if, as they supposed, the Lieutenant-General's 
head-quarters were to be established in Washington. But 
they little knew the man. When General Grant accepted 
his commission from the hands of the President, he was 
prepared to assume all the responsibilities of the position. 
It was not an empty title to him ; a distinction behind 
which he might hide himself in a military bureau at the 
capital. His motto was " Action." He understood per- 
fectly well that the country fully expected him to perso- 
nally superintend the movements of our armies ; but his 
own desire to see and know for himself the position of 
affairs was a sufficient incentive, and in his first order, on 
assuming supreme command, there was the ring of the 
true metal that served to reconcile all the shades of public 
sentiment. Not all the warm blandishments of society, 
and the civilities of public life and national distinction ten- 
dered him, could induce him to desert his sterner duties. 

GENERAL BURNSIDE ON GENERAL GRANT. 

Major-General Ambrose E. Burnside in a speech deliv- 
ered at Chicago, spoke as follows of Lieutenant-General 
Grant : 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GKANT. 171 

" I have known him for a great number of years. If there is 
any quality for which General Grant is particularly character- 
ized, it is that of magnanimity, lie is one of the most magnan- 
imous men I ever knew. He is entirely unambitious and unselfish. 
He is a capital judge of men, and is possessed of a remarkable 
degree of common sense. Those qualities, 1 think, make a pretty 
good general — pretty good, like when he has good generals to 
deal with, because if he has magnanimity he will give credit to 
the general for what he has done. If he is not ambitious, he 
will not seek to undermine any other person who may seem to 
be in his way. If he has good common sense and judgment, he 
will pick each man for his specific duty with good judgment. So 
that the General who combines all these qualifications has every 
hope to succeed. Now, General Grant has thus far succeeded, 
and really I believe the chances are that he will succeed in the 
future. He is to leave the West for the present, and take com- 
mand of the Eastern Army, and without saying any thing of the 
Generals who have heretofore commanded the Eastern Army, I 
think he will infuse into that army a degree of confidence, which 
it has not felt for some time, because success always carries with 
it confidence, and that is what you all want. There is not a gen- 
tleman or lady in this whole assemblage that does not desire suc- 
cess, to-night, and, inasmuch as he has been successful hereto- 
fore, he will have the confidence of the community, and have the 
qualifications, which I think he has, and which I have said to 
you he has, it seems to me we can all go home to night, believing 
that success is going to attend General Grant in the command 
of all the armies of the United States, during this campaign. 
Every loyal heart will go home to-night and sincerely and hon- 
estly pray to God he may be strengthened in the work he has 
to do, and that he will be enabled during this present campaign 
to'crush this infernal rebellion, which has threatened to ruin and 
disrupt the Government which we all love so much." 

THE LIBUTEHANT-GENERAL'S OBDER ON 

ASSUMING COMMAND. 
A fev^ days found him again at Nashville perfecting the 
movements to be made in the Division of the Mississippi. 
Here tie issued the foUawing order : 

" Head-quarters of the Armies of the United States, 
" Nashville, Tennessee, March 17, 1864. 

" In pursuance of the following order of the President : 

"'Executive Mansion, Washington, March 10, 1864. 

" ' Under the authority of the act of Congress to appoint 

to the grade of Lieutenant-Gcneral in the army, of March 



172 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

1st, 1864, Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, United 
States Army, is appointed to the command of the armies 
of the United States. "'Abraham Lincoln.' 

" I assume command of the Armies of the United States. 
Head-quarters will be in the field, and, until further orders, 
will be with the Army of the Potomac. There will be an 
office head-quarters in Washington, to which all official 
communications will be sent, except those from the Army 
where the head-quarters are at the date of their address. 
*' U. S. Grant, Lieutenant- GeneraV* 

On the 2od of March, 1864, General Grant again arrived 
in Washington, accompanied by his wife and son. Brig. 
Gen. Rawlings, Col. Duff, Maj. Rawley, and Capt. Bedeau, 
of the General's staff, were with him. In a few days he 
had established his head-quarters in the Army of the 
Potomac, at Culpepper Court House. 

"ON TO RICHMOND." 

The transfer of the Lieutenant- General's head-quarters 
to the Army of the Potomac, showed that he intended to 
make Virginia the immediate theatre of action. Rich- 
mond seems almost to have been invulnerable — uncon- 
querable, and our armies had so often failed in their ad- 
vances upon the Rebel Capital, that that place had begun 
to assume more importance in the eyes of the world than 
any other in the so-called confederacy. 

The Army of the Potomac was still confronted by the 
Army of Northern Virginia, oscillating between points 
nearer and more distant from the goal of our ambition, 
without attaining any practical results. General Grant 
had a herculean task before him. He had in front of him 
an army that was unquestionably the largest and most 
splendid in the Rebel service, under command of a Gen- 
eral worthy of his steel. That army was covering its 



LIFE OF LIEUTEN'ANT-GENERAL GRANT. 173 

Capital, to which it could but be expected it would hold 
ou with grim desperation. But to take this place would 
have an immense moral effect upon both Northern and 
Southern minds. As it was, the moral effect of our re- 
verses was damaging to the national cause. " And why had 
we failed ?" was a not unfrequent question ; and Congress 
took up the refrain. Jealousy, rivalry and inordinate am- 
bition doubtless had much to do with our misfortunes ; 
but the great fault did not lie there. It was mainly in the 
peculiar geographical and topographical configuration of 
the country. A military writer whose attention was at- 
tracted to this subject at this time, wrote : 
y " Two armies of equal numbers and commanded with 
equal ability, being opposed to each other, their move- 
ments and achievements must be entirely determined by 
the nature of the theatre of operations. Perhaps never 
in the history of warfare has the character of the ground 
exerted more influence on campaigns, than that of the por- 
tion of Virginia which lies between Washington and 
Richmond. On the right of our army are chains of moun- 
tains which enable the Rebels to conceal any flanking 
movement they may undertake, while the valleys afford to 
them the means for an easy and uninterrupted passage to 
the Potomac above Washington, and one almost entirely 
secure from attacks in their rear. On our front is a suc- 
cession of rivers, presenting great natural obstacles to our 
advance, and at the same time easily defensible ; to make 
flanking movements by ascending them is to open our rear 
to attacks from Fredericksburg, and to cross below the 
Rebel army, leaves the railroad a prey to guerillas. The 
country is, moreover, masked in every direction by dense 
forests, rendering any thing like a surprise in force im- 
practicable. A few rebel scouts may at all times easily 
detect and thwart such a movement. Such are the 
natural features of the country. ' 
11 



/ 



174 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT AND MAJOR- 
GENERAL MEADE. 

It is necessary to premise our remarks upon the open- 
ing campaign by saying, that General Grant did not as- 
sume the immediate command of the Army of the Potomac, 
which remained under the direction of General Meade. 
The orders were issued by General Meade and he com- 
manded the army in person. General Grant held a super- 
visory control over the whole. His wishes were however 
respected and implicitly followed ; while at the same time 
the movements of all the armies, however far separated, 
were under the guiding hand of the Lieutenant-General. 

A RE-ORGANIZATION. 

On the 24th of March, 1864, a re-organization of the\ 
Army of the Potomac was effected. The number of army 
corps was reduced to three ; the Second, under command of 
Major General Winfield S. Hancock ; the Fifth, under 
command of Major-General G. W. Warren ; and the Sixth, 
under command of General Sedgwick. On the fourth of 
April, 1864, Major-General Sheridan was placed in com- 
mand of the cavalry corps. Division officers were also 
re-assigned. 

A partial re-organization was also effected in the Army 
of the Southwest. By direction of the President, under 
date of April fourth, 1864, the Eleventh and Twelfth corps 
were consolidated and placed under command of Major- 
General Hooker, and the new corps was called the Twen- 
tieth. 

The Lieutenant-General, accompanied by several of his 
staff officers, made a tour of survey of all our forces in 
Virginia, Gen. W. F. Smith, accompanying him in his 
visit to Butler's command. 

By order of General Grant, active measures were taken 
to get into the field all recruits, new organizations and all 
troops that could be spared. Reinforcements were con- 



\ 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 175 

stantly pouring into the Array of the Potomac. The notes 
of military preparation all over the country indicated the 
near approach of a most vigorous campaign. Now the 
Lieutenant- General is on a tour of inspection, then he is 
closeted with the authorities at Washington, until the close 
of April, 1864, when all the preliminaries seem to have 
been settled. Civilians and sutlers are ordered out of the 
lines and no more passes are granted to applicants for 
admission. Meantime Lee was not idle. He busied him- 
self in the erection of additional fortifications along the 
south bank of the Rapidan, in anticipation of the coming 
contest. General Grant was not disposed to wait on the 
development of Lee's plans. 

He had well digested plans of his own, which he pre- 
pared to put into execution, and until the early part of 
May, 1864, he labored incessantly, concentrating his 
valiant troops preliminary to the grand onward movement. 

THE GRAND CAMPAIGN. 

With the genial month of May, 1864, opened one of the 
greatest military campaigns on record. Not only was 
the Lieutenant- General directing the movements of the 
Army of the Potomac, but he had taken the reins well in 
hand, and with the initiation of the new movement upon 
Richmond, Sherman commenced operations in Northern 
Georgia against Johnston ; Banks had been ordered to 
protect our gunboats on the Red River ; General Steele 
in Arkansas was punishing Sterling Price, and Butler 
was safely lodged on the right bank of the James at Ber- 
muda Hundred, thus threatening the rebel Capital from a 
point where they least expected danger. General Grant's 
combinations were of a magnitude hitherto unknown in 
war. They extended over a vast territory ; from the 
Chesapeake Bay on the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico, 
thence northward through the Indian territory to the 



176 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

upper boundary of Missouri, and striking eastward, in- 
cluded Tennessee and all the States in rebellion. To a 
man of ordinary nerve and ability the prospect was ap- 
palling ; but General Grant was fully equal to the Her- 
culean task. With a mind of wonderful strength, an 
equanimity which is never disturbed in the most perilous 
moment, and an ability to comprehend the situation of his 
enemy as well as his own, he formed bis plans for the 
spring and summer campaigns, and having forwarded 
his orders to his Lieutenants in the different portions of 
the vast field over which he was master, he advanced on 
the 3d of May, 1864, to the Rapidan. This river was 
crossed on the 4th, at two fords, toward the right flank 
of the enemy, the Union army thus placing itself on a line 
nearly parallel with the stream, between Orange Court 
House and Chancellorsville. 

The order to march was issued from General Meade's 
headquarters, on the morning of the 3d, and was dis- 
seminated through the army by 2 P. M. General Gregg's 
cavalry division, accompanied by a portion of the canvas 
pontoon train, moved in the afternoon toward Richards- 
ville, and were engaged until late at night repairing the 
roads to Ely's Ford. Soon after midnight that division 
moved to the ford named, to establish a crossing. About 
midnight the Third Cavalry Division, with another por- 
tion of the canvas pontoon train, left for Germania Ford, 
five or six miles above, there to establish another crossing ; 
both efforts were successful. 

The advance of the Second Corps, Major-General Han- 
cock, commanding, broke camp at midnight, and moved 
down the Stevensburg and Richardsville road toward Ely's 
Ford. The entire Corps were on the march before three 
o'clock in the morning, in the same direction, and effected 
a crossing soon after daylight. 

The Fifth Corps, under Major-General Warren, com- 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL GRANT. 177 

menced moving at midnight. The advance, consisting 
of two divisions of infantry and a portion of the artillery, 
passed through Stevensburg at midnight, closely followed 
by the remainder of the Corps— all marching toward Ger- 
mania Ford. 

The Fifth Corps was closely succeeded by the Sixth, 
under General Sedgwick, which quitted its camp at four 
o'clock, A. M. Both the Fifth and Sixth Corps crossed the 
Rapidan at Germania Ford. 

General Sheridan, commanding the cavalry, encoun- 
tered Stuart's rebel cavalry, and after heavy fighting 
drove the enemy back on Orange Court House. 

General Lee prepared during the night of the fourth for 
battle on the ensuing day. 

BATTLES OF THE WILDERNESS. 

On Thursday, May 5th, 1864, the Fifth and Sixth Corps 
were early in motion, and at about eight o'clock, A. M., the 
centre of the Fifth Corps had reached the intersection of 
the pike and plank road leading from Fredericksburg to 
Orange Court House, marked on the maps as " Wilderness." 
And here it is necessary to pause a moment and say a 
word as to the topography of the surrounding country. 

The word wilderness conveys generally the impression 
of a deserted waste, and the term, applied to the region in 
which the great battle was fought, is no misnomer. It is 
an exceedingly broken table land, irregular in its con- 
formation, and so densely covered with dwarf timber and 
undergrowth as to render progress through it very diffi- 
cult and laborious off of the few roads and paths that 
penetrate it. This timber was so effectually an ally of the 
Rebels, for they had taken care to take position near its 
edge, leaving us an open country at our back, that a 
whole division drawn up in line of battle might be invisi- 
ble a few hundred feet off. The knolly character of the 



178 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

ground, in conjunction with this timber, also prevented us 
almost entirely from usin^ our artillery, depriving us of our 
undoubted superiority in that arm. At the Wilderness, is 
the crossing or intersection of the pike and plank roads 
from Fredericksburg to Orange Court House, in a general 
southwest direction. These roads are here reached by 
the roads from Culpepper and Brandy Station, via Ger- 
mania Ford ; and at Chancellorsville, four miles and a 
half eastward of the Wilderness, the pike is crossed 
exactly at a right angle by the road from Ely's Ford to 
Spottsylvania Court House. 

On Thursday morning, the army lay on the Germania 
Ford road and the pike. The army w^as in column ; the 
trains of the various headquarters were drawn up by the 
roadside, and men, teamsters and subordinate officers were 
expecting the order to move on and wondering why it did 
not come. 

The Second Corps was beyond the Wilderness at this 
moment, and thus occupying our left; the Fifth and 
Sixth Corps occupying our centre and right respectively. 
The morning wore slowly away, and still our splendid 
legions lay in the road whiling 'the time away by the 
various devices that only idle men can invent. At last 
the headquarters' standard of the Army of the Poto- 
mac was struck into the earth near the old Wilder- 
ness Tavern, and the Generals began gathering around 
it. Meade was there, his grey beard seeming to bristle a 
little in expectation of the coming fight. Hancock, 
Warren, Sedgwick, and various other general officers, 
gathered into little knots and engaged in earnest consul- 
tation. Maps were drawn out and being spread upon the 
ground, and lines were traced and points indicated. It 
looked ominous. Still, not a single sign of battle reached 
the main body of the army. No rumors of cavalry en- 
gagements nor sound of desultory shots gave it warning, 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 179 

and it lay in the sunshine expecting the preliminary com- 
mand and the sonorous " Forward 1" 

At last Warren galloped off, and the head of his 
column began filing over the point of a hill a little to the 
left of Wilderness Tavern, and to the summit of the same 
hill the headquarters of the army were removed. In an 
incredibly short space of time, an army on the march was 
changed into an army in line of battle. At about this 
time, dropping shot were heard to the right and south of 
Wilderness Tavern, and a gallop of two miles and a half 
down the pike, in the direction of Orange CouTt House, 
revealed a brigade of Griffin's Division in line of battle, 
far to the front. Gradually the contest grew from picket- 
firing to skirmish, from skirmish to battle, and by twelve 
o'clock, meridian, the action fairly commenced. A small 
disaster marked its opening. The brigade had scarcely 
formed for action, when it was met by a terrible volley 
of musketry, and the Rebels, taking advantage of the 
momentary confusion, came rushing up to the charge. 
We had not yet learned the character of the ground 
thoroughly, and were attempting to use artillery, having 
two guns of Battery D, First New York, in position, and 
these the Rebels captured, but they were all the trophies in 
that line they secured during the entire action. 

From Warren's lines the battle spread to Sedgwick's 
early in the afternoon, and that veteran and accomplished 
soldier met it grandly. Steadily and firmly he met the 
.Rebel attack, and finally, and almost inch by inch, he 
pressed the Rebels back from his front until they began 
to tire of the sport— and, earlier in the day than on other 
points of the lines, the action dwindled into a skirmish. 

On our left, Hancock took the initiative, and gave 
LoNGSTREET a Icssou in the art of war that will be long 
remembered. The conflict on that part of our lines was 
terrific. It seemed that muskets had become endowed 



180 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

with supernatural powers, and spoke in one long continu- 
ous diapason, horrible to hear, so suggestive was it of 
mangled, lifeless forms, laid forever at rest ; or worse, of 
writhing, bleeding, suffering humanity stretched upon 
mother earth. As the day drew to its close, the contest 
there and everywhere upon our lines gradually ceased, 
until at last only now and then a desultory shot told that 
the defiant foe of law was on our front in battle array. 
Thus ended Thursday, May 5th. 

During the day, General Grant was on the field, calm 
and imperturbable as usual. His confidence was un- 
shaken through all the varying fortunes of the day. Lee 
had met our army on his own chosen ground, and though 
we had not driven him from his position, the Lieutenant- 
General was satisfied with the day's work, and commenced 
making his dispositions for renewing the battle on the 
next morning. 

THE BLOODY CONTEST OP FRIDAY. 

Friday, destined to be a bloody, eventful, and almost 
a disastrous day in American history, was hardly graced 
with morning light before the action was recommenced. 
It was general, but during the earlier, and in fact during 
the entire day, it was fiercest before Hancock. 

This magnificent soldier, backed by a magnificent corps, 
had terrible work before him. Pressed by the apparently 
constantly increasing forces of Longstreet, he struggled 
hard, fiercely, and long, to hold his own, but was twice 
driven back to his breastworks; and -once the adventurous 
Rebels ventured to plant their colors within his field- 
works — but the insult was instantly avenged, by hurling 
the enemy neck-and-heels out of the sanctuary. At last 
relief came in the shape of the Ninth Corps, under the 
gallant Burnsiue, and Hancock was allowed to breathy 
free once more. Such fighting as Hancock did that day 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT- GENERAL GRANT. 181 

had probably never been seen before. Back and forth — 
first charged and then charging — the bodies of Union and 
Rebel dead lying side by side by hundreds on the con- 
tested ground, attested the unparalleled severity of the 
conflict. 

Later in the day came Sedgwick's hour of trial. A 
lull succeeded the tempest. On our left they seemed de- 
termined to turn one or the other of our flanks, and half 
an hour before sunset, A. P. Hill fell with wonderful 
celerity and crushing force upon the extreme right of 
Sedgwick. That attack will long be remembered by all 
in its vicinity. The battle had apparently closed for the 
day, when all at once the silence of the deepening evening 
was broken — first, by a volley of musketry to which all 
other firing had seemed but boyish playing, then with a 
yell, at once defiant and exultant 1 Our right was turned 
at once — the two brigades composing the extreme right, 
with their commanders, Seymour and Staler, were in- 
stantly swallowed in the wild waves of yelling Rebels, 
whose appetite, whetted by what it fed on, still rushed on 
for fresh food. The day seemed utterly lost ; and de- 
struction not only to the Corps, but the army, appeared 
inevitable. In that moment of extreme peril, the nation 
and the army was fortunate enough to have Sedgwick at 
the point of danger. Out of that instant of uttermost 
peril, his ability and fortitude plucked, if not victory, at 
least safety. Taking advantage of the reflux that always 
follows the first impetus of a charge, he quickly reformed 
the Corps — and driving the enemy beyond his breast- 
works, once more was in safety. 

From out of this desperate attack grew another inci- 
dent, fearful always in an army, but doubly so at night. 
Just at dark, a stampede began — first, among the strag- 
gling soldiers watching the fight from a safe distance. 
They rushed in wild confusion to the rear. The instinct 



182 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

of safety in the army teamsters is wonderfully acute, and 
the sight of these frightened fugitiv^es soon started the 
wagons in wild confusion and galloping haste over the 
low hills. The rush of the wagons started every thing 
else, and where but a moment before all was quiet confi- 
dence, was now all hastening alarm. This scene lasted 
some half an hour, when the iron hand of military law 
succeeded in re-establishing order, and hardly had quiet 
been restored, when the movements of other of the same 
wagons gave us a premonition — it was the general move 
of all the army transportation on the turnpike in the 
direction of Chancellorsville. What could it mean ? Had 
the attack on our right been fatal, and were we retreating 
from a field sanctified with patriot blood and rendered 
illustrious by such heroic fortitude as our men had here 
displayed ? Subsequent events proved that this was not 
the case, but the days of hard knocks were over, and 
those of strategy at hand. We were still to have one 
more example of what desperate things desperate men 
will do. 

At eleven o'clock, a night attack was made on War- 
ren's line. Night attacks are always terrible things to 
the party attacked, but coupled with the partial disaster 
on our right it was doubly so this night. Without warn- 
ing of any kind, the Rebels leaped upon the Fifth Corps. 
No Corps in the service had a more honorable record than 
the Fifth, and none under the circumstances could have 
borne itself more bravely ; yet, in spite of its bravery, 
the corps was driven back and pressed until at last the 
line of Rebel skirmishers were in dangerous proximity to 
Grant's and Meade's headquarters. 

But not for this brief episode of battle, thundering amid 
the darkness of the nigbt but a little way to the front of 
the pike, was the movement of the trains interrupted even 
for a moment. Still on they went, in an almost inter- 



. LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 183 

iiiinable stream, and by daylight nearly all had passed to 
the left of the right centre. During the night the wounded 
from the hospitals in the rear of the right and right centre 
were also removed in the same direction, but the exact 
purport of the movement could not be even guessed. 

Friday, May 5th, had closed partially in disaster. We 
had succeeded certainly in repelling most of the enemy's 
attacks, but we were not there with that object. The 
army of the Potomac had begun its present movement 
with the intention of sweeping Lee's army from the 
earth, and it had not accomplished its mission on Friday. 

GRANT OUT OP THE WILDERNESS.-SATUR- 
DAY AND SUNDAY'S OPERATIONS. 

The enemy had turned our right flank, and the imprac- 
ticability of a further engagement against the enemy in 
that position was easily perceived. Our right was turned, 
and Germania Ford was potentially in the hands of the 
enemy. Our line was now bent into an angle, and facing 
both south and west. The losses in killed, wounded and 
missing, could not thus far have been less than fifteen 
thousand, and we had only gained a slight advantage on 
the enemy's right. But the enemy, though successful 
against our right flank, was unable to profit by the advan- 
tage gained. 

Saturday morning came and went, and the enemy 
showed no signs of ability to improve the advantages 
gained. Soon from along our lines there came reports 
that the enemy were retreating, and it became evident 
that only a small force was before us, and that the rebels 
were making the most diligent improvement of their time 
in getting safely back to such a position as would give 
tliem the start in a race toward Richmond. Indeed, it 
was to be feared that the enemy had already moved so far 
on the route as to put us second in chase. 



184 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

But Saturday was, however, not unimproved on our 
side in preparation for anticipating the enemy in such a 
movement, and the Cavalry Corps, under the command of 
General Sheridan, had been sent out on the road which 
leads through Spottsylvania Court House to Granger's 
Station and Hanover Court House. 

The cavalry encountered the enemy at Todd's Tavern, 
commanded by Fitzhugh Lee, which offered a most de- 
termined resistance on Saturday morning, and before the 
day closed the whole of Stuart's Cavalry Corps was in 
position to resist the efforts we were making to turn the 
right flank of General Lee's army. 

We had now possession of the road to within two and 
a half miles of Spottsylvania Court House. Preparations 
were accordingly made for moving the whole army on the 
enemy's flank toward Richmond, hoping that by pro- 
longed and forced marches, and by pushing our troops 
vigorously into action, we might be able, having the ad- 
vantage of interior lines, either to reach Richmond before 
the enemy, or, if we should be unable to turn his flank, 
and the enemy should succeed in presenting himself in 
force upon our front, that we might gain so complete a 
victory over him as to render the capture of Richmond a 
comparatively easy task. 

At sunset, on Saturday night, the infantry commenced 
to move on the road to Richmond to anticipate the enemy 
at Spottsylvania Court House, to turn his right flank 
being the proximate object of the march. The Ninth 
Army Corps was the first upon the route, but soon 
halted to allow General Warren with the Fifth Corps 
to pass. The Sixth Corps left their intrenchments 
quietly at ten o'clock, the Second Corps followed, keep- 
ing up the rear, and cavalry protected their flank. Thus 
before midnight the entire line of our earthworks wns 
vacant, and the army was again upon its march. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 185 

General Grant, with his staff and escort, moved their 
headquarters at eight o'clock. An alarm occurred on the 
road as the General passed the lines of the corps which 
were nearest to those of the enemy. A short rattle of 
musketry was heard, and the General halted at General 
Hancock's headquarters on the road, and scouts were sent 
along the picket lines, who ascertained that the enemy 
had raised a shout in reply to the shouts of our troops, 
which provoked the pickets to discharge their pieces and 
rush back to their supports. 

The General and his escort went on dashing through 
the woods, upon by-roads, to avoid the troops and wagon 
trains, his escort trailing behind him. They galloped 
along through the darkness, occasionally overtaking a 
body of troops, who, as they ascertained that General 
Grant was passing, raised such shouts and cheers as to 
place any similar demonstration which this army had 
manifested into utter insignificance. The party reached 
Todd's Tavern soon after midnight, where headquarters 
were established. 

The wagon train was encamped in a park near Chancel- 
lorsville. General Warren's Corps passed on through 
Todd's Tavern on Saturday night, toward the front, and 
at sunrise were within two and a half miles of Spottsyl- 
vania Court House, and immediately were put into action 
to relieve the cavalry. The enemy were also just in time 
for a similar movement, and Stuart's cavalry were sim- 
ultaneously relieved by Longstreet's corps of infantry. 
The Fifth Corps, tired with a long night march, rushed 
into action with a double-quick. General Robinson's 
Division leading the charge. The rebels yielded before 
them, and we pushed them on for three miles. During 
the battle General Robinson was wounded. 

The last engagement of this morning's fight was very 
severe ; our losses were great ; General Robinson was 



186 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

sevrerely wounded, but we charged them so far and so im- 
petuously that our men were outflanked on the left and 
had to fall back a short distance to form their lines anew. 
Many of the men who were engaged in this action were so 
exhausted and overcome with weariness and fatigue that 
they could hardly support themselves, and after they had 
charged through a clearing and a strip of wood, were 
forced to retire eight rods. The enemy gained no advan- 
tage, for our artillery was brought into action, and the 
rebels were unable to occupy the position which our men 
had abandoned. 

The Fifth Corps had suffered in the previous fight so 
severely that there was not a single division of it in per- 
fect fighting trim ; but General Augur, commanding the 
Regulars, filed in from the right, and the position was 
held at last. We had now nearly advanced to where two 
roads form a junction, within two miles and a half of 
Spottsylvania Court House. The crest at the junction of 
these roads once attained, an important advantage would 
have been achieved. This was not quite accomplished. 
Another desperate effort must be made before Spottsylva- 
nia Court House would be in our possession. That point 
once reached, an open country and fair battle fields lay 
before the army, and it already began to realize, to some 
extent, the advantages of " getting out of the Wilderness.'* 
The greater part of the Sabbath was occupied in ex- 
amining the positions, in resting the men, and in making 
preparations for a renewal of the attack at night. Noth- 
ing transpired during the day with the exception of an 
artillery duel. About noon the batteries were posted, 
ours in the edge of a piece of woods ; theirs on an 
opposing hill. 

As evening approached, General Grant started to the 
front to take another glance at the position, and to inspire 
our troops for the grand onset which was soon to be 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 187 

made. Before the General arrived at our left flank, the 
rattle of musketry from the advance skirmishers, and the 
straggling back of wounded men, indicated that the 
moment had almost arrived. Troops from the Fifth and 
Sixth Corps, in several heavy lines, were concentrated in 
front of the position to which the rebels had fallen back 
after the engagement in the early part of the day. Gene- 
ral Wright's division, already distinguished by most 
gallant conduct, took the lead. At quarter before seven 
a shout was raised, and the attack commenced as our 
troops moved out of the woods through a narrow open 
space and up a tangled thicket, which was held and for- 
tified by the enemy. Mills' Brigade and the Jersey 
troops were once more in the thickest of the fight, reduced 
though they were in one regiment from four hundred and 
thirty men to one hundred and eighty, and commanded 
by a captain. Deafening musketry and a dense volume 
of smoke raised up from the place where they engaged 
the enemy for half an hour. 

At a quarter after seven, as the light began to fade 
away, the heat of the firing began to cease. Hitherto the 
ear could scarcely distinguish any fluctuation in the sounds 
which came from those gloomy pines. But now the enemy 
commenced to give way, and the shouts of our men 
receding as the enemy were pushed along, showed that the 
issues of the attack were favorable and decided. We had 
beaten the enemy, had drawn them from the position 
which they had so strongly contested, but the darkness 
was now so great that we coukrnot safely press them 
further, and Spottsylvania Court House still remained, 
that night, in the hands of the rebels. 

MONDAY'S OPERATIONS. 

Monday afternoon was spent quietly in camp, both for 
the much-needed rest of the soldiers and for replenishing 



188 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT 

the army with rations. We lost General Sedgwick 
during the day, not in the thickest of the fight, where he 
had so often exposed himself, but by the hand of a sharp- 
shooter during the interval of preparation. The General 
was inspecting the picket lines in front, attended by two 
of his staff, when a ball passed in below his eye, passing 
through the base of the brain and the medulla oblongata, 
killing him instantly. 

Our train of ambulances, containing some thirteen thou- 
sand wounded, was started on the road across Ely's Ford, 
but was attacked and turned back. It finally proceeded 
to Fredericksburg, where almost every house was con- 
verted into a hospital. 

TUESDAY'S GREAT BATTLE. FIRST DAY AT 
SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE. 

Hancock, during the night, left the line occupied by 
him during Monday, and swung his front around early in 
the morning, taking a position about one mile and a half 
in advance of his former position, driving the enemy 
before him and making good use of artillery and in- 
fantry fire. 

About half-past ten o'clock. Cutter's Division of the 
Fifth Corps, left their previous position, and formed a line 
of battle on the edge of a piece of open country to the 
right and rear of Hancock's left. A column was deployed 
across this piece of ground and formed in line within easy 
musket range of a piece of woods filled with the rebels. 
This column maintained the position occupied by them 
nearly the entire day, and were subject to terrible artillery 
and musketry fire, which was returned with great spirit 
and effect. A portion of Griffin's Division, of the Fifth 
Corps, were sent to drive the rebels out of a copse of 
woods held by them, on the right of the Fifth Corps. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 189 

They entered the woods by brigades, which were relieved 
alternately, and for hours a deadly and determined fight 
continued, in which a little ground was gained by our 
troops with much difficulty, the rebels contesting every 
inch of the same. Batteries D and H, of the First New 
York Artillery, held positions to the left of these woods, 
and did fine execution in throwing shell and grape-shot, 
which told with effect on the enemy. Cooper's First 
Pennsylvania Battery was held in reserve on the brow of 
a hill, ready to cover any reverse that our men, who were 
fighting so desperately in the woods in front, might sus- 
tain. About 12 o'clock, General Rice, who gallantly led 
the Fourth Division of the Fifth Corps into action, re- 
ceived a musket ball in the knee. He was carried to the 
rear, and died during the afternoon. The division com- 
manded by General Rice were stoutly engaged during the 
day, and at one time were subjected to a murderous fire 
from different points for a period of three hours, without 
intermission. 

From ten o'clock in the morning until the shades of 
night fell, the battle raged with the greatest fury. Di- 
vision after division went into the woods and pressed 
steadily forward. No column retired, except to take a 
rest on the edge of the woods while being relieved by 
others. The roar of artillery and sharp rattling of the 
musketry was absolutely fearful. Shells were bursting in 
every direction, and either side most resolutely maintained 
their respective positions for hours. 

Early in the afternoon, two divisions of Hancock's 
Corps changed positions from right to left, and after a 
brief rest went into the woods with great spirit, and were 
shortly in close conflict with the enemy. Two batteries 
on the right of Wright's Corps were in active service 
during the morning, engaged in shelling the woods to the 
right, which were filled with rebels. This firing ceased 
12 



190 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

during the afternoon, the Rebels retiring to safer positions. 
The enemy, about half-past three o'clock, succeeded in 
maintaining a cross-fire for a short time on some of our 
advancing columns, but the well-directed fire of some of 
our batteries soon put a stop to such work. About dusk 
the general headquarters were removed a mile nearer to 
the front. Shortly before the close of the day's fighting, 
Generals Grant and Meade, occompanied by their staffs, 
rode to the front and took a position affording a fine view 
of the operations in front. 

Late in the day a line of Rebel intrenchments were 
assaulted by one of our divisions, and carried, after a 
bloody resistance. Our men were compelled to crawl 
over these intrenchments on their hands and knees, and 
precipitate themselves on the other side. Late in the 
afternoon, a heavy body of Rebels made an onslaught on 
Upton's Brigade, of the Sixth Corps, and got for a brief 
period to the rear of our lines. It did not take them long 
to find out that they were caught in a trap, for our lines 
at once closed in on them, and the whole party, about 
two thousand in number, were captured, including several 
pieces of artillery. 

A piece of strategy of General Lee was displayed 
during the day, which, if it had been carried into success- 
ful effect, would have materially deranged the plans of 
General Grant. He had been massing troops in front of 
our centre, for the purpose of breaking our line of battle 
at that point, and as a blind, had sent two brigades of 
infantry to make a demonstration on our right, in order to 
draw the attention of General Grant to that point. It 
so happened that both rival Generals had conceived the 
same idea at the same time, for both were strengthening 
their centres for an assault. 

General Lee, when he commenced his movement on our 
centre, found to his surprise that the dodge of making a 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 191 

feint on our right did not work, for no troops had been 
sent to counteract the flank movement, and Lee found 
such force directly in front of him that the only result of 
the movement was a most desperate attempt on the part 
of either side to break the line of the other. 

The losses of both armies in this day's engagement 
were very heavy. Many thousand men were killed and 
wounded and a large number of officers were placed 
hors du combat. The fighting was of an extraordinary 
nature, as indeed it had been during the series of battles 
fought since crossing the Rapidan. The men felt that it 
eclipsed all the engagements on the Peninsula in 1862, 
and they realized that at last there was a man at the head 
of our armies who was in earnest in his efforts to put 
down the rebellion by force of arms. 

WEDIifESDAY'S OPERATIOlSrS.-SECOlSrD DAY'S 
BATTLE AT SPOTTSYLVANIA. 

On Wednesday morning, May 11th, the fighting was 
again renewed, and continued with varied success until 
about eleven o'clock, our line being somewhat advanced. 
At that hour a flag of truce was sent in by General Lee, 
who asked for a cessation of hostilities for forty-eight 
hours that he might bury his dead. General Grant 
replied that he had not time to bury his own dead, and 
would advance immediately, and some parts of our line 
were, therefore, pushed forward. The woods were shelled, 
but no response was met from where the enemy's centre 
had been a few hours before. The prisoners captured on 
Tuesday and Wednesday numbered over four thousand, 
and the rebel dead and wounded were found covering 
almost every foot of ground wherever our troops surged 
forward and the rebels gave way. The slaughter amongst 
our troops was terrific, but not near so great as that of the 
enemy, and but few captures were made by the latter. 



192 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

The same morning, Lieutenant-General Grant tele- 
graphed as follows to Secretary Stanton : 

" Head-Quarters in the Field. May 11, 1864, 8 A. M. 

" We have now ended the sixth day of very heavy fighting. 
The result, to this time, is much in our favor. 

" Our losses have been heavy as well as those of the enemy, 
I think the loss of the enemy must be greater, 

" We have taken over five thousand prisoners by battle, whilst 
he has taken from us but few, except stragglers. 

" ' I PROPOSE TO FIGHT IT OUT ON THIS LINE IF IT TAKES ALL 

SUMMER.' " U. S. Grant, 

''Lieutenant- General Commanding, 

''the Armies of the United States.'* 

THURSDAY'S BATTLE.— HANCOCK'S SPLENDID 

VICTORY. 

Thursday, May 12tb, was destined to witness one of the 
most complete triumphs ever vouchsafed our arms. The 
Lieutenant-General had ordered General Hancock, in 
w^hose gallantry, heroism, and ability, he had unbounded 
confidence, to move during the night quietly toward the 
line of intrenchments held by Ewell's Corps, who were 
in his front. Slowly and surely his men crept forward, 
and the dawn of day found them close upon the sleeping 
and unsuspecting Rebels. At the proper moment the 
order was given to charge, w^hen, with a yell the devoted 
band of heroes sprang forward, and ere the Rebels were 
aware of the proximity of their opponents, and before 
they had time to recover from the surprise of the attack, 
Hancock's men were leaping over their intrenchments and 
using the butt end of their muskets, in all directions, on 
the devoted heads of the Rebels. The firing amounted to 
little or nothing ; there w^as no time or necessity for such 
wink. The shelter tents of the enemy, erected near their 
line of intrenchments, were entered by our troops before 
the Rebels had time to escape from them ; they were sur- 
rounded, cornered, hemmed in and fairly dumbfounded, 
and on the command being given to surrender, they at 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 193 

once dropped tlieir arms and became passive, resistless 
prisoners of war. Tbe artillery had not time to limber up 
and get away or fire a single volley before oar dashing 
troops were among them. Even their General, whose 
quarters were somewhat in the rear, did not escape, and 
he, together with the greater portion of his command, 
became subservient to the orders and commands of the 
gallant Hancock. 

The results of the morning's surprise were, that between 
thirty and forty pieces of artillery were taken, all of which 
were successfully brought within our lines. General E. 
Johnson, who commanded the surprised and captured 
Rebel division, was taken to General Grant's headquarters 
about seven o'clock, A. M. He was treated with becoming 
courtesy and entered freely into conversation with Gen- 
erals Grant, Meade, and other officers. Information 
was imparted by him to some of our Generals regarding 
the condition of different Generals in the Rebel service, 
with whom some of our own were class-mates at West 
Point. 

At nine o'clock in the morning, the artillery firing on the 
right of Hancock's Corps was tremendous. In addition 
to the brilliant night advance mentioned, which culminated 
so successfully, the whole line of Hancock's Corps ad- 
vanced during the morning, and although ground was 
gained inch by inch, the Rebels contesting every point 
with great determination, still we advanced, and in the 
face of such desperate resistance every foot of ground 
gained was a triumphant success. Before noon, the whole 
line was actively engaged in the fierce and bloody strife. 
All the morning it rained in torrents, and the terrible 
nature of the contest in the front, the uncertainty as to the 
issue, the tired condition of the troops after seven days 
hard fighting, the drenching rain, the incessant volleys of 
musketry and roar of cannon, the anxiety depicted upon 



194 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

every countenance at headquarters, all combined to make 
the time a trying one. 

An incident occurred during the morning that illustrates 
the coolness and self-possession of the Commander-in- 
Chief of the Armies of the United States. While the 
heaviest artillery firing was in progress, General Grant 
vyras standing, in company with General Meade, near a 
fire, talking and endeavoring to keep themselves dry, when 
a Rebel shell struck within a few feet of the twain. A 
disposition to move was manifested on the part of a 
number of officers standing around, when General Grant, 
looking slowly around and fixing his eye on the spot 
where the shell struck, asked at once for a pocket com- 
pass, which, being furnished, he examined the course of 
the shell, found out the location of the battery, and it was 
not long before shells were thick among the men working 
said battery. 

Perhaps we could not epitomize the activity of our 
armies during these eventful days better than by inserting 
here the official despatches of Secretary Stanton to 
Generals Dix and Cadwalader, all appearing on the 
same day, May 14, 1864. They reveal the magnitude of 
Grant's combinations, and show how well they were 
being executed by his Generals. 

FIRST BULLETIN FROM SECRETARY OF WAR. 

Headquarters, Philadelphia, 3Iay 14, 6 P. M. — 

The following despatch has just been received from the 

Secretary of War : 

'^ To Major-General Cadwalader : — Washington, l/a?/ 
14tb, 4 P. M.— Despatches from General Grant, dated yesterday 
evening at six o'clock, have reached this Department. The 
advance of Hancock yesterday developed that the enemy had 
fallen back four miles, where they remained in position. There 
was no engagement yesterday. We have no account of any 
general officers being killed in the battle of the preceding day. 
Colonel Carroll was severely wounded. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT- GENERAL GRANT. 195 

"A despatch has just been received from General Suerman* 
dated near Resaca, May 14. It states that, by the flank move" 
nient on Resaca, Johnston had been forced to evacuate Dalton' 
and our forces were in his rear ai^d flank. The weather was fine, 
and the troops in fine order, all working well, and as fast as 
possible. 

" No intelligence has been received from General Butler. 
Guerillas have broken the telegraph lines between Williamsburg 
and Old Jamestown. This is believed to be the reason why no 
report has been received from him. 

" Despatches from General Sigel, report him to be at Wood- 
stock. The rumor that he had broken the railroad between 
Lynchburg and Charlottesville is not true. 

*' Our wounded are coming in from Belle Plain as fast as the 
transports can bring them. 

" Grant's army is well supplied. 

•' Edward M. Stanton, Secretary of War" 

SECOND BULLETIN.— GENERAL MEADE'S AD- 
DRESS TO THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 

Washington, May 14.— Despatches, dated Headquar- 
ters Army of the Potomac, May 13th, 12 M., have been 
received. General Meade has issued the following con- 
gratulatory address to his troops : — 

"Headquarteks Army of the Potomac, May 13th, 1864. — 
Soldiers :—ThQ moment has arrived when your commanding 
general feels authorized to address you in terms of congratula- 
tion. 

*• For eight days and nights, almost without mtermission, m 
rain and sunshine, you have been gallantly fighting a desperate 
foe, in positions naturally strong, and rendered doubly so by in- 
trenchments. 

" You have compelled him to abandon his fortifications on the 
Rapidan, to retire and attempt to stop your onward progress, 
and now he has abandoned the last intrenched position so tena- 
ciously held, suffering a loss in all of eighteen guns, twenty-two 
colors, and eight thousand prisoners, including two general 
officers. . 

" Your heroic deeds and noble endurance of fatigue and priva- 
tions will ever be memorable. Let us return thanks to God for 
the mercy thus shown us, and ask earnestly for its continuation. 

" Soldiers ! your work is not yet over. The enemy must be 
pursued, and, if possible, overcome. The courage and fortitude 
you have displayed renders your Commanding General confident 
your future efforts will result in success. 



196 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

" While we monm the loss of many gallant comrades, let us 
remember the enemy must have suffered equal, if not greater 
losses. 

" We shall soon receive reinforcements, which he cannot ex- 
pect. Let us determine to continue vigorously the work so well 
begun, and under God's blessing in a short time the object of 
our labors will be accomplished. 

" George G. Meade, Major-General Commanding. 
" Official— S. Williams, A. A. G. 
" (Approved), " U. S. Grant, 

" Lieutenant-General Commanding 

" the Armies of the United States." 



THIRD BULLETIN.— DESPATCHES FROM GEN- 
ERAL BUTLER. 

War Department, Washington, May lith, 1864. 
Major-General Dix : The following telegrams have 
just reached this department from General Butler. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

" Half-way House, May 14^7i— 3 A. M. 

" To Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War : We are 
still before the base of the enemy's works at Drury Bluff, Fort 
Darling. 

" The enemy are still here in force. 

** General Gillmore, by a flank movement, with a portion of 
his Corps and a Brigade of the Eighteenth Corps, assaulted and 
took the enemy's works on their right at dusk last evening. It 
was gallantly done. 

" The troops behaved finely. 

" We held our lines during the night, and shall move this 
morning again. 

(Signed) " Benj. F. Butler, Major-General." 

" Headquarters, Half-way House, May l^th — 10 A. M. 
"To Hon. Edwin M. St aktoj^, Secretary of War : General 
Smith carried the enemy's first line on the right, this morning, at 
eight o'clock. The loss was small. 

" The enemy have retired into three square redoubts, upon 
which we are now bringing our artillery to bear with effect. 
" (Signed) 

" Benj. F. Butler, Major-General Commanding." 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-CTZNERAL GRANT. 197 

FOURTH BULLETIN. — DESPATCHES PROM 
MAJOR-GENERAL SHERIDAN. — HIS GREAT 
CAVALRY RAID. 

" Washington, May lith — Midnight. 

" To Major-General Cadwalader : An official despatch 
from General Sheridan, dated Bottom Bridge, via Fortress 
Monroe, May 13tb, states that on the ninth instant he marched 
around the enemy's right flank, and on the evening of that day 
reached the North Anna River without serious opposition. 
During that night he destroyed the enemy's depot at Beaver 
Dam, three large trains of cars, and one hundred cars, two fine 
locomotives, two hundred thousand pounds of bacon, and other 
stores, amounting in all to a million and a half of Rebel rations ; 
also, the telegraph and railroad track for about ten miles, em- 
bracing several culverts, and recaptured three hundred and 
seventy-eight of our men, including two Colonels, one Major, 
and several other officers. 

" On the morning of the tenth he resumed operations, cross- 
ing the South Anna at Grand Squirrel Bridge, and went into 
camp about daylight. 

" On the eleventh he captured Ashland Station. At this point 
he destroyed one locomotive and a train of cars, an engine- 
house, and two or three government buildings, containing a large 
amount of stores. He also destroyed six miles of railroad, 
embracing six culverts, two trestle bridges, and the telegraph 
wires. At about seven o'clock A. M., of the eleventh, he resumed 
the march on Richmond. He found the rebel Stuart with his 
cavalry concentrated atYellow Tavern, and immediately attacked 
him. After an obstinate contest, he gained possession of the 
Brockle Turnpike, capturing two pieces of artillery and driving 
the enemy's forces back toward Ashland and across the north 
fork of the Chickahominy — a distance of four miles. At the 
same time a party charged down the Brock road and captured 
the first line of the enemy's works around Richmond. During 
the night he marched the whole of his command between the 
first and second line of the enemy's works, on the bluffs over- 
looking the line of the Virginia Central Railroad and the 
Mechanicsville turnpike. After demonstrating against the works 
and finding them very strong, he gave up the intention of as- 
saulting, and determined to recross the Chickahominy at Meadow 
Bridge. It had been partially destroyed by the enemy, but was 
repaired in about three hours, under a heavy artillery fire from 
a Rebel battery. General Merritt made the crossing, attacked 
the enemy, and drove him off handsomely, the pursuit continuing 
as far as Gaines's Mill. The enemy, observing the recrossing 
of the Chickahominy, came out from his second line of works. 
A brigade of infantry and a large number of dismounted cavalry 
attacked the divisions of Generals Gregg and Wilson ; but, 



198 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

after a severe contest, were repulsed and driven behind their 
works. Gregg and Wilson's Division, after collecting the 
wounded, recrossed the Chickahominy on the afternoon of the 
twelfth. The Corps encamped at Walnut Grove and Gaines's 
Mill. 

"At nine o'clock A. M., of the thirteenth, the march was re- 
sumed, and our forces encamped at Bottom Bridge. The command 
is in fine spirits. The loss of horses will not exceed one hundred. 
All the wounded were brought off except about thirty cases of 
mortally wounded, and these were well cared for in the farm- 
liouses of the country. The wounded will not exceed two hun- 
dred and fifty, and the total loss not over three hundred and 
fifty. The Virginia Central Railroad bridges over the Chicka- 
hominy, and other trestle-bridges, one sixty feet in length, one 
thirty feet, and one twenty feet, and the railroad for a long dis- 
tance south of the Chickahominy, were destroyed. Great praise 
is given the division commanders, Generals Gregg, Wilson, 
and Merritt, Generals Custer and Davies, and Colonels Gregg, 
Divine, Chapman, McIntosii and Gibbs, brigade commanders. 
All the officers and men behaved splendidly. 

" Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War^ 

FIFTH BULLETIN.— DEATH OF GENERAL 
J. E. B. STUART. 

" Washington, May 15^7i— 12:30 A. M. 
" Major-GeneralCadwalader : In a despatch this moment 
received from Admiral Lee, he reports to the Secretary of the 
Navy that the Richmond papers of yesterday mention the death 
of General J. E. B. Stuart, shot in battle. This, no doubt, 
happened in the battle with General Sheridan. 

" Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War" 

SIXTH BULLETIN.— RETREAT OF LEE, AND 
GENERAL GRANT'S PURSUIT. 

" Washington, 3Iay 15^7i— 8:50 A. M. 
"To Major-General Cadwalader: An official despatch from 
the battle-field at Spottsylvania, yesterday morning, at 6:30, 
states that during the preceding night (Friday) a movement was 
made by the Fifth and Sixth Corps to our left, and an attack 
was. to have been made at daylight, but no sound of battle had 
been heard from that quarter. This manoeuvre, it is said, if 
successful, would place our forces in Lee's rear, and compel him 
to retreat towards Lynchburg. No cannon nor any sound of 
battle was heard yesterday at Belle Plain or Fredericksburg, 
which affords ground for the impression that Lee had retreated 
during Friday night, and before the advance of the Fifth and 
Sixth Corps. Nothing later than 6:30 A. M. yesterday has been 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 199 

received from the array by this Department. All our wounded 
that had readied Belle Plain yesterday eveningf have arrived 
here. The surgical report from the headquarters of the army 
states that the condition of the supplies is satisfactory, and that 
the wounded are doing well. The Medical Director at Belle 
Plain reports that every thing at that point is satisfactory. 
The surgical arrangements have never been so complete as now. 
General Sheridan's command had reached the left bank of 
Turkey Island at three o'clock yesterday afternoon, and have 
formed a junction with the forces of General Butler. 

" Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War." 

SEVENTH BULLETIN.— THE LATEST NEWS 
FROM THE FRONT. 

" Washington, Ma^j Ibth — Midnight. 

" To Major-General Cadwalader : Despatches from Gen. 
Grant have been received by this Department down to seven 
o'clock this morning. There had been no engagement for the 
last two days. 

" Despatches from General Sherman down to eight o'clock last 
night, state that his forces had been actively engaged during 
the day with advantage to our side, but no decided result. 

" Nothing has been heard of General Butler's operations 
since his telegrams of last night, heretofore published. 

" Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.'* 

FRIDAY'S BATTLE, MAY 13TH.— BURNSIDE'S 
FIGHT WITH A. P. HILL. 

At early daylight on Friday morning. May 13th, 1864, 
the engagement commenced by an advance on our part 
and lasted for six hours, the battle being fought with an 
obstinacy not surpassed during the campaign. General 
Burnside's command, the Ninth Corps, lay across the 
pike leading from Fredericksburg to Spottsylvania Court 
House, at a distance of from two to three miles from the 
latter place. His left extended a short distance east of 
the road. His advance was made simultaneously with 
that of General Hancock, thus making a heavy concerted 
attack upon the enemy's right wing, which covered Spott- 
sylvania Court House on the north, and covered also the 
road running through that town, which formed the Rebel 



200 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

line of retreat. The success of General Hancock in 
driving the enemy from two lines of breastworks, and 
making valuable captures, has already been noticed. 
General Burnside was less fortunate in his part of 
attack, for (although he moved early) he found the enemy 
thoroughly on the alert, and considerably over a mile in 
front of their main line of breastworks. 

The intervening country was extremely broken, hilly and 
densely covered with timber, chiefly small pines, whose 
branches, matting together, rendered it almost impossible 
for a man to walk erect through them. Through this 
wilderness, difficult to penetrate at best, the Kebels had 
dug small detached rifle-pits at every favorable point, 
from which they fired with deadly effect as we advanced j 
but, in spite of their advantages, they were steadily 
pushed back, driven from their advanced earthworks, and 
compelled to take refuge in their main line of intrench- 
ments. So severe had been the fighting in the woods, the 
enemy contesting every foot of ground as they receded, 
that it was not deemed advisable to attack them in their 
fortifications, and accordingly fighting ceased for several 
hours. But in the afternoon, several batteries of artillery 
having in the meantime been brought up and placed in 
position, an assault was ordered in accordance with in- 
structions from headquarters of the army, and about three 
P. M. the attack was renewed. 

The line of battle was formed with Potter's Second 
Division on the right, Crittenden's First Division in the 
centre, and Wilcox's Third Division on the left. Our 
advance met with a warm reception from the enemy, who 
had also been preparing for an attack and would soon 
have taken the initiative. After advancing some distance 
under a heavy fire, a brigade of Kebels who had previously 
been placed in position, opened suddenly on the left flank 
of General Wilcox's Division, composed of troops of 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 201 

Colonel Hartranft's Brigade. Three regiments on the 
left, the Seventeenth Michigan, Fifty-first Pennsylvania, 
and One-hundred-and-ninth New York, were thrown into 
some confusion, being attacked in front and on flank at the 
same moment. A flanking brigade of Rebels demanded 
their surrender, but the demand was not acceded to, and 
an extremely sharp hand-to-hand conflict ensued, our men 
bravely holding their ground for a time and gallantly de- 
fending their colors. About three hundred men of the 
Seventeenth Michigan and Fifty-first Pennsylvania were, 
however, ultimately made prisoners, including Lieutenant- 
Colonel Chas. N. Swift, of the Seventeenth Michigan. 
Colors of the Seventeenth Michigan were also finally cap- 
tured. After making a gallant stand, these three regi- 
ments were forced to fall back, but the Seventeenth Mich- 
igan, or rather what was left of it, had, however, to bring 
off the field more than their own number as prisoners, in- 
cluding Colonel Barber, of the Fifth North Carolina, who 
was in command of the brigade on their flank. The re- 
mainder of the line stood firmly at the point where the 
flank attack was first made, and on the right a New Hamp- 
shire regiment of Colonel Griffin's Brigade, Potter's 
Division, actually entered the enemy's intrenchments, but, 
being unsupported on right and left, they were compelled 
to return. 

On the left, the enemy, encouraged by the repulse of the 
three regiments already spoken of, rushed on in eager 
pursuit, but were suddenly checked on emerging from the 
woods into an open field by finding themselves literally 
mown down by a tempest of grape and canister from two 
or three batteries planted in line and nearly together on 
the opposite side of the field. They retreated in confu- 
sion, leaving their dead and wounded lying in heaps upon 
the ground at the edge of the woods. The portions of our 
line which had given way was then brought up, and 



202 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

although it was not possible to resume the attack on the 
Rebel fortifications with any prospect of success, we held 
our ground up to the furthest point attained, and gained 
the advantage of a considerably better position than that 
previously occupied. 

The losses of the entire corps in this engagement, were 
not quite three thousand. Colonel Hartranft's Brigade 
lost seven hundred and fifty, including three hundred 
prisoners, and the loss of General Wilcox's entire Division 
is stated at fifteen hundred. General Potter's Division 
lost about eight hundred, of whom six hundred were 
wounded. The loss in General Crittenden's Division 
was probably about the same. The conduct of our 
troops throughout this battle merited the highest com- 
mendation ; the men could not have exhibited greater 
firmness or more determined bravery. 

SATURDAY, MAY 14tli, 1864. 

Saturday was a day of comparative quiet. For the eight 
days previous, both armies had been engaged in a series 
of battles surpassing any ever fought either in ancient or 
modern times. Scores of thousands of men had fallen, 
and those who were still able to march were wearied and 
exhausted by the hardships which they had endured. 
But while the army rested, General Grant's active mind 
was at work, and his keen eye was upon the wary antago- 
nist on his front. During the day Lee changed his lines, 
which compelled a corresponding change on the part of 
our forces. Heavy rains rendered the roads impassable, 
and neither army could move, although Lee showed some 
signs of attempting a retreat. 

Affairs remained thus until the eighteenth, when Gen- 
eral Grant determined to make an attack upon Lee's 
position. Our forces had been massed on the enemy's 
left during the night previous, and it was hoped by an 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 203 

early assault, that his left might be broken, and his left 
flank turned, and success was more reasonably to be ex- 
pected as the attack was to be made from a portion of the 
line supposed to have been abandoned by us in our move- 
ment towards the left. Every thing having been put in 
readiness during the night, the assault was made at early 
dawn as intended. The Sixth Corps, General Wright, on 
the extreme right, the Second Corps next, and further on 
to the left, a portion of General Burnside's Corps. Early 
as the assault was commenced, the enemy was found to 
be perfectly wide awake, and fully prepared. Their ad- 
vanced line was readily pushed back, and our troops re- 
took the rifle-pits captured in the assault of the 12th inst., 
without difficulty, but on advancing against the next line 
of intrenchments they soon found that they were to en- 
counter earnest resistance. 

The enemy opened fire upon us from a number of bat- 
teries, pouring into our ranks a destructive storm of 
canister. Their breastworks, extremely strong and elab- 
orate in themselves, were defended in front by a great 
depth of abattis, through which our men would have to 
tear their way, exposed all the time to a deadly fire from 
the Rebels in their pits. Such an attempt would have 
cost thousands of lives within a very few minutes, and its 
impracticability being perceived, our troops were at once 
withdrawn. There was but little musketry, and our chief 
loss was sustained from the fire of the enemy's artillery. 

On the afternoon of the 19th of May, Ewell's Corps 
of Lee's army made an effort to turn our right, but were 
promptly repulsed and severely punished by the Divisions 
commanded by Major-Generals Birney and Tyler. 

While the two armies were apparently inert. General 
Grant was having his thinned columns refilled with new 
and fresh men. Within a few days it was estimated that 
twenty-five thousand splended troops had been forwarded 
to the Army of the Potomac. 



20-1 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT- GENEEAL GRANT. 

GENERAL GRANT FLANKS LEE. 

Ou the 20th of May, the army was once more in motion, 
the commanding" general intending to flank Lee out of his 
Morks at Spottsylvania Court House. In this he was suc- 
cessful, and the rebels began their retreat toward Richmond, 
falling behind the North Anna river, and taking up a strong 
position. Our army followed closely. The Fifth and Sixth 
Corps marched by way of Harris' store to Jericho Ford, 
and the Fifth Corps succeeded in effecting a crossing and 
getting into position without much opposition. Shortly 
after, however, they were violently attacked and hand- 
somely repulsed the assault, which was without much 
loss to us. We captured some prisoners. The opposition 
made by Lee was not so great as was anticipated, and 
finding himself again flanked, he fell back to the South 
Anna. Here the enemy's works were found to be of ex- 
traordinary strength and magnitude, and General Grant 
declining to make an assault which would cost so much 
blood, recrossed the North Anna, and moved his army off 
in the direction of Hanover Junction, thus flanking Lee's 
position on the South Anna, and forcing him again to 
evacuate his elaborately constructed fortifications. 

On Friday morning, the 2tth of May, General Sheridan, 
with two divisions of cavalry, took possession of Hanover 
Feny and Hanovertown, the points designated for cross- 
ing the army over the Pamunkey river. By the 29th the 
whole army was across, and in position three miles south 
of the river. Thus w^as another of General Grant's bril- 
liant and daring manoeuvres crowned with complete suc- 
cess. On Sunday, the 29th, his army was encamped in a 
fertile country, within fifteen miles of Richmond. By this 
admirable movement he not only turned Lee's works ou 
the Little river and the South Anna, and avoided the 
hazards of crossing those two strongly defended rivers, but 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 205 

made himself master of the situation with regard to his 
new base of supplies. He was furthermore left entirely 
free as to the route by which he would attack Richmond, 
and be in full communication and co-operation with the 
column under General Butler All this was accom- 
plished within twenty-four days from the day when he 
struck tents at Culpepper Court House. 

What enormous strides he made towards the heart of 
the rebellion within that brief period, and all by disembar- 
rassing his movements of the necessity of looking back to 
one inflexible line of communications and one unchanging 
base of supplies. This was his simple strategy, though 
the execution of it was as brave and brilliant as its con- 
ception was bold and original. It was this same strategy 
that made the march from Bruinsburg to Yicksburg one 
unbroken series of victories. In that march, General 
Grant at once cut himself loose from his base ; but, with 
the forethought of a great general, he so directed his 
columns as to open another at Grand Gulf immediately 
after his first encounter with the enemy. Moving on to- 
ward Raymond, he made provision for still another by 
way of Warrenton, just below Yicksburg. But all the 
time he had his far-seeing vision fixed upon a third 
at the Yazoo river, above the beleaguered city, and that 
was his final base until Yicksburg fell. Just so he moved 
in this campaign, and the successes which made the month 
of May, 1863, forever illustrious in the American calendar, 
w^ere rivalled in glory by those of the month of May, 1864, 

By these masterly operations, General Grant moved on 
regardless of his rear. He left nothing there for the 
enemy to attack. In one great particular he had no im- 
pediments. His columns, if not literally in " light march- 
ing order," were the next thing to it. Hence the ease 
with which he baffled his cunning adversary, and rendered 
13 



206 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

all his elaborate and formidable field works just so much 
labor in vain. 

Although General Grant was always prompt to " move 
against the enemy's works" when it was necessary, he 
never undertook that costly operation when it was not. 
He had experience of the relative merits of the two modes 
of proceeding at Yicksburg, and he is a soldier upon whom 
experience is never lost. 

It was remarked that his movement across the Pamun- 
key made him master of the situation. This was no idle 
repetition of a favorite phrase. He was master of the 
Peninsula without having uncovered Washington for a 
single hour, and without having created the necessity of 
leaving one-fourth of his army behind for the defence of 
that city. He had uncontrolled choice of a line of attack 
on Richmond on every, side but one. His cavalry had 
traversed the whole country, and knew all the roads and 
all the topography. He had communication with General 
Butler's force, and could unite the two armies whenever 
the occasion demanded. And finally, he could supply his 
troops by the Pamunkey or the James at his own option. 
These results were the achievements of a master hand 
in the art of war. 

This removal of the seat of war from the Orange and 
Alexandria Railroad to the very walls of Richmond, com- 
pleted a cycle of two years in the history of the rebellion. 
Hanover, White House, Cold Harbor, Shady Grove Church, 
are names with which we were familiar on the 31st of 
May, 1862. Then, however, every stream, every swamp, 
every line of rifle pits, brought our forces to a halt, until 
days ran into weeks, and weeks into weary months of 
waiting. But now the great column moved irresistibly 
on, for at its head there was a skilful and active soldier, a 
man who knew no such word as halt after he was once in 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 207 

motion, and who was appalled by no obstractions, and 
least of all by phantoms. 

And so closed what will be hereafter called 

THE GREAT BATTLE MONTH. 

The great movement of the Army of the Potomac com- 
menced on Tuesday night, May 3d, 1864, when the Rapidnn 
was crosssed without serious opposition. The telegraphic 
news which gave us the first intelligence of the advance 
of Greneral Grant, was hailed by the people as an omen 
of success, and from that time down, the same hopeful 
feeling was maintained, while the faith of the people in 
General Grant and the gallant army of the Potomac was 
strengthened and moulded into a firm conviction of victory. 
From the very first movement made by General Grant, 
he was successful throughout, all of which was due to his 
masterly generalship and the indomitable courage of his 
army. General Lee was forced to fall back from the 
strong positions which he held in front of our army during 
the fall and winter, and this was the first step in the grand 
tactics of General Grant, which subsequently rendered all 
the rebel field fortifications and defences of no avail. The 
line which General Lee expected General Grant to follow, 
the latter, by the most consummate skill, avoided ; and the 
rebels had not only to endure the chagrin of all their 
labors and preparations going for nothing, but they saw, 
at the same time, the Army of the Potomac flanking them 
at every important position of their expected defence, and 
getting nearer and nearer to Richmond by every move. 

But it was not only in Virginia that the month of May 
witnessed the greatest series of battles of a month re- 
corded in history within the period. The gallant army 
under General Sherman, in the Southwest, was alike vic- 
torious from Buzzard's Roost Mountain, Dalton, and 
Resaca to Dallas, and it seemed highly probable that 



203 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

General Sherman would reach Atlanta, Ga., about the 
same time that General Grant would reach Richmond. 
Every thing looked favorable. Our army was in the best 
of spirits, while Lee's was despondent and whipped, and 
in no condition apparently to check our onward advance. 
Yet the events of 

JUNE, 1864, 

Proved their tenacity and courage to be still unsubdued. 
The bloody battles around Cold Harbor were fought, in 
which many thousand men were killed and wounded on 
both sides. On the evening of the 4th of June, Lieutenant 
General Grant telegraphed to the War Department " that 
about seven, P. M., of Friday, June 3d, the enemy suddenly 
attacked Smith's Brigade of Gibbons' Division. The 
battle lasted with great fury fur half an hour, and the 
attack was unwaveringly repulsed. At six, P. M., Wil- 
son, wiih his cavalry, fell upon the rear of a brigade of 
Heth's Division, which Lee had ordered around to his 
left, apparently with the intention of enveloping Burnside. 
After a sharp but short conflict, Wilson drove them from 
their rifle pits in confusion. He took a few prisoners. He 
had previously fouglit with and routed Gordon's Brigade 
of rebel cavalry. During these fights he lost several 
officers, among them Colonel Preston, First Vermont 
Cavalry, killed ; Colonel Benjamn, Eighth New York 
Cavalry, seriously wounded. General Stannard, serving 
in the Eighteenth Corps, was also severely wounded. 
Our entire loss in killed, wounded and missing during 
the three days operations around Cold Harbor did 
not exoeocl, according to the Adjutaut-Generars Report, 
seven thousand, five hundred. This morning, (Saturday, 
June 4th,) the enemy's left wing, in front of Burnside, 
was found to have been drawn in during the night." 

Rendered desperate by the narrowing circle which 
Grant was gradually drawing around them, the rebels 



LIFE OF lieutena:nt-gexeral geant. 209 

made repeated attacks upuu oar entrenchments, but in 
every instance they met with disastrous repulse. Mean- 
while General Grant was making arrangements for new 
dispositions, and his movements bewildered and annoyed 
the enemy. His lines were extended to the Chickahominy, 
and White House was made the base of supplies for his 
army. 

A NEW MOVEMENT. 

On the night of the 12th of June, General Grant with- 
drew his forces from Lee's front at Cold Harbor and Gaines' 
Mills. General Wm. F. Smith's Corps, the Eighteenth, 
marched to the White House, embarked on transports and 
went down the Pamunkey and York rivers, and up the 
James. The Sixth and Ninth Corps, under Major-Generals 
Wright and Burnside, crossed the Chickahominy at 
Jones' Bridge, while Hancock's Second and Warren's 
Fifth Corps crossed at Long Bridge, whence they marched 
to the James river, crossing it at Powhatan Point. The 
great movement was carried out without a single failure, 
and without notice to the enemy, who waked up on the 
morning of June 13th, to find that the army which menaced 
them on the previous night had disappeared, and was 
already beyond the hope of successful pursuit. 

A flank march is the most perilous of military operations. 
General McClellan executed his celebrated " change of 
base " harassed at every step, fighting by day and retreat- 
ing by night, so that when his army upon the seventh day 
reached Harrison's Landing, fifteen thousand men who had 
crossed the Chickahominy were no longer in the ranks. 
Their corpses lay thick upon the route ; their bleeding 
bodies were frequently left to the tender mercies of the 
enemy, and six thousand of them were captured and con- 
signed to the horrors of a living death at Libby and Belle 
Isle. But to this startling movement of General Grant, 



210 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENRRAL GRANT. 

the military critic cannot refuse the tribute of high admi- 
ration at the consummate skill which effected so great a 
change with scarcely the loss of a man. 

The great features of the movement were simply these : 
For some days previous the attention of the rebels was di- 
rected towards the means of crossing the Chickahomin}^ at 
Meadow bridge, New bridge, Bottoms bridge and White 
Oak bridge. Strong demonstrations were made at those 
points, and attempts made to carry them. Lee applied 
himself busily to the strengthening of those bridges by 
defensive works. Efforts to carry them would have un- 
doubtedly caused a great loss of life. But it was not 
General Grant's intention to force a passage there. Hence, 
whilst Lee was amused by his feints, he was preparing a 
decisive movement in another direction. When all was 
ready, Major-General Smith, with the Eighteenth Army 
corps, which had come to White House from Bermuda 
Hundred upon transports, moved back to the former point, 
and in the same transports returned to the James river. 
General Wright and General Burnside moved with the 
army corps under their respective commands to Jones' 
bridge, about ten miles southeast of Bottoms bridge, 
where they crossed without hindrance and then marched 
due south to Charles City Court House ; Hancock and 
Warren crossed the Chickahominy at Long bridge, about 
six miles southwest of Bottoms bridge. They marched by 
a road nearly parallel with that leading to Charles City 
Court House from Jones' bridge, and on the average not 
more than four miles and a half distant. They came out 
upon the James at Wilcox's wharf, which is about five miles 
east of Harrison's Landing. The James was crossed at 
Powhatan Point, which was formerly Windmill Point, now 
occupied by Fort Powhatan. At the place of landing the 
army was not more than ten miles from General Butler's 
entrenchments at Bermuda Landing. Having left Cold 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 211 

Ilarbor on Sunday night, the whole movement was effected 
and the troops in position for crossing the James river in 
about thirty hours. Iq thirty-six hours the whole army 
had crossed to the south side of the James river, and by 
that time General Smith's transports were up to Bermuda 
Hundred and his soldiers had joined their old comrades. 

ATTACK ON PETERSBURG. 

General Grant moves rapidly, and never was known 
to let an opportunity pass without striving to embrace its 
advantages. On Wednesday, June 15th, General Smith 
was ordered to attack and carry the works defending 
Petersburg. It was believed there were but few troops 
in the forts, and the object was to take the city before Lee 
could send it assistance. The assault was promptly and 
gallantly made, and the first line was taken, together with 
sixteen cannon and several hundred prisoners. The enemy, 
however, hastily withdrew a large force from General But- 
ler's front, and threw them into the rear line of fortifica- 
tions, and all the afternoon and evening Lee was hurry- 
ing troops from Richmond by rail to the Cockade City. 
During Thursday and Friday the Second and Ninth Corps 
captured a number of redoubts, and the investing lines 
were drawn closer about the beleaguered place. 

Several assaults were delivered against the enemy's 
works which were unsuccessful, and during the week our 
losses were heavy, amounting to several thousand men in 
killed and wounded. The following was the position of 
the united armies of Meade and Butler, which enveloped 
Petersburg in about the quadrant of a circle; Butler's 
force (the Tenth and Eighteenth Army Corps) being placed 
north of the Appomattox, facing Petersburg on the east- 
ern side, and the Army of the Potomac fronting it from the 
south, in a line stretching from the Appomattox across the 



212 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

Petersburg and Suffolk railroad, where our left rested on 
Poo creek. 

It soon became apparent that Petersburg would require 
a siege, and the Lieutenant-General, to make its invest- 
ment as complete as possible, set his cavalry to work. 
General Wilson, with six thousand picked troopers, left 
Prince George Court House, June 22d, to operate on the 
railroad communications south of Petersburg and Rich- 
mond. The Weldon railroad was struck at Reams' 
Station, the South Side Road at Ford's Station, and 
some sixty miles of track, together with bridges, depots, 
locomotives, and cars, were destroyed. The Sixth Corps, 
General Wright, co-oj)erated to a certain extent by 
moving on the Weldon road below Petersburg, and 
destroying five miles of the track. Heavy fighting fre- 
quently occurred in front of Petersbui'g during the re- 
mainder of the month of June. 

In July, the enemy, finding it impossible to shake loose 
the strong hand with which Grant had grappled the 
throat of the Rebellion at Richmond, resolved to try 
another plan, the invasion of Maryland, thereby threaten- 
ing Washington, and trusting in this to induce Grant to 
withdraw his army from the James to the defence of the 
National Capital. But the ruse was fruitless. General 
Grant remained confronting Lee, and did not weaken his 
army to any material extent. He had troops enough and 
to spare, and sending the Sixth Corps, under General 
Wright, to the assistance of Major-General Lew. 
Wallace, commanding the Middle Department, he con- 
tented himself with the situation, satisfied that his own 
plans would thwart those of his crafty but worried 
antagonist. His theories were correct. Breckinridge 
was defeated before the walls of Washington, and beat a 
hasty retreat into Virginia, leaving over five hundred of 



LIFE OF LIEUTEXANT-GENERAL GRANT. 213 

his men killed and wounded under the guns of Fort 
Stevens. 

Little was done before Petersburg until the close of July, 
but in the Shenandoah valley there was more or less fighting. 

BuinsrsiDE's mine exploded. 

On the 30th of July, 1864, Burnside's mine was ex- 
ploded under one of the largest of the rebel forts at 
Petersburg, blowing up a South Carolina regiment, and 
wrecking the interior of the work. Within a few minutes 
after the explosion, the two brigades of the First Division 
< — the second, Colonel Marshall, of the Fourteenth New 
York Heavy Artillery, commanding, in the lead, followed 
by the first, under command of Brigadier-General Bart- 
LETT, of Massachusetts — jumped over the breastworks 
forming our main line, and advanced at a charging pace. 
They were hardly in motion when they received a volley 
from the enemy, who, although surprised by the explosion, 
were evidently prepared against an attack, owing to the 
noise inevitably made by the concentration of troops, and 
the movements of trains and artillery, &c., for hours, close 
to their front. 

The explosion, although it had destroyed the rebel 
battery, had not affected the abattis and other obstructions 
in the front, and the attacking column experienced coji- 
siderable trouble in working their way over them. Part 
of our lines passed into the fort, and part to the right of 
it, upon curtain-like entrenchments connecting the right 
of the battery with the line of breastworks beyond it. 
The interior of the exploded work was a confused mass 
of earth, broken guns, camp equipage, and human bodies. 
It had been occupied by a battery of artillery, manning 
six rifled field pieces, and part of the Eighteenth and 
Twenty-third South Carolina regiments. Over two hun- 
dred men had gone up with the work, and were buried 



214 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

among the ruins. The rifle-pits and entrenchments to the 
right of the work were occupied by several hundred of the 
enemy, two hundred and fifty of whom were taken 
prisoners and sent to the rear. 

As soon as the First Division had moved, the Second 
and Third followed it to the right and left, and closed up 
with it at the work. The enemy, meanwhile, had opened 
a vigorous musketry and artillery fire from their entrench- 
ments, that enclosed the work in the form of an angle, 
giving them an enfilading fire. Several attempts were 
made by our troops to continue the advance toward 
Cemetery Hill, but they failed under the severity of the 
fire. 

About six o'clock, the Colored Division, General Fer- 
RERO commanding, was ordered to take up the attack, and 
push to the right of the other divisions for Cemetery Hill, 
distant four hundred yards beyond. It advanced in line 
with great steadiness, until it came up in line wath 
the other divisions, and received a severe fire, when 
the column turned to the left, and the mass of it became 
mixed up with troops in and about the work. About one 
thousand of the colored troops rushed over the parapet 
into the interior of the work, which the explosion had 
caused to make a pit-like form, and was already crowded 
to overflowing with ofiicers and men. The negroes tum- 
bled headlong down the sloping sides, when a scene of in- 
extricable confusion ensued. Efforts were made by officers 
to get them out of the work and form outside, but they 
failed, and the strangely mingled mass of human beings 
continued to crowd the pit, the upper portion of which 
was about one hundred feet in diameter. 

When the attack commenced, all our heavy and light 
batteries in position, over one hundred pieces in all, 
opened and kept up a tremendous fire, mostly with shell, 
upon the enemy's line, but, nevertheless, the Fvebel fire in- 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 215 

creased in severity. The enemy could be plainly seen 
from our main line, moving his troops from right and left 
to the point of attack, and it was evident that they were 
massing their whole available force to meet the attack. 
Between seven and nine o'clock, three attempts were made 
by our troops to charge, but each of them was checked 
by the enemy's fire. Squads of men during that time 
were continually trying to make their way back to our 
main line, but the intervening space — open ground, about 
one hundred and fifty yards in width — was so thoroughly 
swept by the enemy's fire, that many were shot down in 
the attempt to escape. 

About nine o'clock the fire from our batteries slackened, 
and soon afterward the enemy rushed out of his entrench- 
ments and charged upon the position held by our troops. 
They were at first checked, but finally succeeded in gain- 
ing most of the ground between the work and their line, 
and came within a short distance of our troops. Large 
numbers of the latter attempted to get back to our lines 
from the work and the rifle-pits and minor intrench ments 
about it. Many succeeded, but many also were killed and 
wounded. 

About ten o'clock the enemy made another charge, 
when a great swarm of men, estimated by some at a 
thousand, mostly blacks, broke out of the fort and at- 
tempted to escape to our lines. Hundreds of them never 
reached it. What was left of our troops in the work now 
became completely hemmed in, the Rebel standards being 
planted close to the parapet west of the work, and the 
Rebel fire causing retreat impracticable. They continued 
in that predicament for nearly an hour, when an order 
was issued directing the whole army to fall back to its 
original position. Whether the order ever reached those 
still outside of our lines is not definitely known, but it is 
certain that about two o'clock, General Bartlett, who was 



216 LIP^E OF LIEUTENAXT-GEXERAL GRANT. 

in the fort, being unable to move, owing to the breaking 
of his artificial leg, sent in a note by a private, stating 
that, being out of ammunition, he and those with him, if 
not speedily relieved, would soon have to surrender. 
Shortly afterwards the Rebels made another charge, to 
which the party surrendered. 

Our losses in the assault and inside the mined fort were 
over two thousand killed, wounded and missing ; those of the 
enemy were about twelve hundred. The experiment of 
General Burnside proved disastrous, and no further 
attempt was made for the time against the rebel lines. It 
promised success, but tardiness in obeying orders lost us 
the day. 

SHERMAN IN THE WEST. 

While Grant was directing, personally, operations in 
Virginia, his chosen Lieutenant, Wm. Tecumseh Sher- 
man, was faithfully executing his plans in Northern 
Georgia. In a series of splendid battles he had driven 
Johnston from Dalton to Atlanta, where the latter was 
superseded by Hood, " a fighting man," who in three days 
bloody battles before Atlanta, lost over thirty thousand 
men killed, wounded and prisoners. Hood's terrible defeats 
occurred on the 20th, 22d and 28th days of July, 1864, 
and resulted in his being forced into the defences of 
Atlanta. A siege of the place was opened, but on the 
26th of August, Sherman moved his main army by the 
right flank to the rear of the rebel fortifications, and on the 
31st reached Jonesboro, where Stephen D. Lee and 
Hardee attacked Howard's Corps, but were repulsed. 
The next morning. General Jeff. C. Davis attacked the 
rebel position, and carried it at the point of the bayonet. 
This secured us Jonesboro. During the night the rebels 
fled, and Hood retreated also from Atlanta under cover 
of the darkness, General Slocum's Corps entering the city 



LIFE OF LIEUTENAXT-GENEEAL GRANT. 217 

early the followlDg morning. Thus fell the great strong- 
hold of the rebellion in the southwest. 

The gigantic combinations of the Lieutenant-General 
were gradually developing, and the country began to 
realize the fact that a General had at last been found who 
was equal to the great emergency. He had so distributed 
the armies, that at every point of the compass they were 
hammering away at the supports of the rebellion. 
Although in front of Petersburg little was accomplished 
during the summer and autumn, yet Georgia, the very 
heart of the rebellion, was virtually conquered, and the 
power of the South proven to be centred in the two great 
armies of Lee and Hood, Sherman had demonstrated 
bis ability to defeat the latter in a score of battles, 
and Grant had forced Lee from the Rapidan down be- 
hind the protecting works at Richmond. His keen vision 
penetrated through the deception which caused the North 
to believe that the South could carry on the war indefi- 
nitely. He believed the Rebellion was like an egg-shell, 
and impressed with this belief, he ordered Sherman to 
leave Atlanta and pierce through Georgia to the sea- 
board. Sherman obeyed, and the world remembers his 
grand march, and how he proved General Grant's opinions 
to be correct. 

In the months of September and October, 1864, several 
heavy and decisive battles were fought, all resulting trium- 
phantly for the Union arms. Early was completely de- 
feated in the Shenandoah Valley, by Sheridan, at Opequan 
and Fisher's Hill, in September. The Army of the Potomac 
was not wholly quiet, and on the 29th of the same month 
General Ord, having crossed the James the previous 
night, attacked the strong entrenchments of the enemy at 
Chaffin's Farm, and carried them at the point of tho 
bayonet, while Grucral Firney advanced from Deep 
Bottom uiul carried llio New Market Road and rortifica- 



218 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

tions General Kautz with his cavahy making a recon- 
noissance within two miles of Richmond. On the 30th 
General Meade moved from his left and stormed the rebel 
line of works near Poplar Springs Church. At Cedar 
Creek, on the 19th of October, Sheridan almost annihi- 
lated Early's army, which fled from the field demo- 
ralized, leaving ten thousand men killed and wounded and 
prisoners in our hands. In every quarter the rebel 
armies were worsted, and despondency settled over the 
" Confederacy." 

There was still a hope, however, entertained by the 
leaders, that during the winter they would have rest and 
opportunity to fill up their depleted ranks. But in this 
they were destined to grievous disappointment. The Lieu- 
tenant-General did not favor inaction even during the cold 
rains, the heavy snows, or the keen frosts of winter, and 
the plans of his campaigns were steadily adhered to and 
elaborated. While he lay before Richmond watching with 
eagle eye the grand army of the Rebellion, Segerman and 
Thomas and Canby were carrying out his instructions in 
their several departments. 

Between the 10th and 13th of November, 1864, the 
troops of General Sherman moved from Atlanta, Rome, 
and Kingston, Georgia, and on the 12th, Sherman broke 
up his headquarters and set out on the expedition which 
was to immortalize his name and establish the prowess of 
the American soldier on the march as well as on the bat- 
tle-field. His army consisted of four corps of infantry, 
two divisions of cavalry, four brigades of artillery, and 
twp horse batteries. Brevet Major-General Jeff. C. 
Davis commanded the Fourteenth Corps ; Brevet Major- 
General Osterhaus the Fifteenth Corps ; Major-General 
Frank Blair the Seventeenth Corps ; and Major-General 
Slocum the Twentieth Corps. Major-General Kilpatrick 
was in command of the cavalry. This magnificent army 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 219 

left Atlanta fully equipped and provisioned for the enter- 
prise, which was nothing more or less than a march 
through the heart of the enemy's country to the Atlantic 
coast. The march was made, and the problem w^as satis- 
factorily solved. The enemy could not effectually resist 
Sherman. Their spasmodic eJGforts with militia were of 
no avail. He went through Georgia without opposition, 
and Savannah fell into his possession. The tidings of his 
success filled the North with joy, and General Grant 
again realized the fact, that the rebellion was in his 
power. 

Thomas was looking after Hood, and the commander 
of our armies knew that he could trust the lion-hearted 
and loyal old Yirginian, to care for the last formidable 
army which the dying rebellion had in the field in the 
Southwest. The battle of Franklin gave Hood a foretaste 
of what he might expect, and the terrible engagement near 
Nashville, on the 15th of December, which resulted in the 
total overthrow of Hood's splendid army, broke the power 
of the rebellion in that region, and lifted anew the hopes 
of the North respecting an early termination of the war. 

THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 

So stood military affairs at the end of 1864. Sherman 
was at Savannah : Hood's army, which was to march to 
the Ohio, and invade Indiana and Ohio, was crushed and 
scattered, its artillery captured, and its elan gone. Price 
was routed in Missouri ; Early was used up in the Shenan- 
doah ; Breckinridge was checkmated in East Tennes- 
see ; Canby was operating effectively in Louisiana, and 
preparing to capture Mobile ; and Grant at Richmond 
was holding Lee in a vice from which there was no re- 
lease. The rebellion bad seen desponding days, but they 
were radiant compared to those which now came over it in 
gloom and Egyptian darkness. There was no slacking 



220 LIFE OF LIi:UTEXANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

of the advantages gained by our arms. Instead of pausing 
for weeks or months to announce the victories, General 
Grant steadily kept on, allowing nothing to interfere with 
his one first and patriotic purpose— the suppression of the 
rebellion. He lost no opportunity — he let slip no advan- 
tage, but, firmly and certainly as fate itself, pressed for- 
ward his victorious columns, in the West, the Southwest, 
on the Atlantic coast, and in Virginia. 

Lee grew desperate, but was able to accomplish little, 
lie promised great deeds, and Davts promised greater, 
Avhile at the same moment he knew that the toils were 
gathering around him from which escape was impossible. 

COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW YEAR, 1865. 

With the New Year came new victories. Fort Pisher 
fell, and Wilmington was no longer the artery to feed the 
heart of the rebellion. Sherman was on his second irre- 
sistible march. He was penetrating South Carolina. 
Charleston had dropped into our arms without the loss 
of a man, and the invincible army of the West was moving 
by rapid marches toward North Carolina and Virginia. 
Lee foresaw the end, but he was powerless. He did not 
dare to detach any large force from in front of Grant. 
That General was watching for such a movement on the 
part of his adversary, and such a movement would insure 
the fall of Richmond. Lee was helpless. Grant was 
his master, ^nd the rebel chief tacitly acknowledged it. 
The spring campaign was at hand, and Sherman rapidly 
approached through North Carolina, driving Johnston, 
his^ old opponent in Georgia, back at every step. Rebel 
affairs daily became more critical, yet what could Lee do 
but wait ? When Grant saw proper to open the ball 
then Lee might be able to decide as to his course, not 
before. His army was composc-d of the best fighting 
material, and it numbered fully sixty thousand men, and 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 221 

was protected by a line of fortifications of the most for- 
midable nature. Would Grant order an assault upon 
these works ? This was what Lee desired ; what he 
hoped for. The sequel will show that his hopes were 
vain, and that the man who had foiled him at every point 
during the battles of May, 1864, was once more to exhibit 
a strategy which would thwart all the genius of the rebel- 
lion, and bring the " Confederacy" tumbling in ruins about 
the heads of its supporters. 

March, X865, was destined to see all our armies in mo- 
tion. Canby was operating with a powerful force against 
Mobile, aided by the fleet; General Wilson with ten thou- 
sand picked cavalry moved from Eastport on an expe- 
dition through Alabama ; Sherman and Schofield were 
nearing the borders of Virginia from the South, and it 
now only remained for the Army of the Potomac to gird 
on its armor and strike the finishing blow to the rebellion. 
Conscious of his peril, Lee resolved to take the initiative, 
and by a bold stroke drive Grant from his works. 

THE ATTACK ON FORT STEADMAN. 

At half-past four A. M., March 25th, 1865, Gordon, at 
the head of three divisions, made a sudden rush upon 
Fort Steadman, overpowered the garrison, and took pos- 
session of the fort. But the rebel success was destined to 
be of more value to ourselves than it was to Gordon. With 
the dawn of day. General Hartranft charged the fort 
with his reserves, recaptured it with the bayonet, and took 
two thousand seven hundred prisoners. The rebel loss out- 
side the work was fearful. The guns of all our adjacent 
forts were trained on the ground over which the enemy had 
to pass to regain their own lines. When they commenced 
their retreat, grape and canister, and round shot, and 
storms of bullets swept through their ranks, and in a brief 

space, three thousand rebels lay prone upon the earth in 
11 



222 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

the agonies of wounds and death. The experiment was 
a dear one, and it revealed to Lee the truth that our 
army was on the alert, and that all such attempts to 
break our lines would meet with the same terrible punish- 
ment. The entire loss to the enemy in that morning's 
work reached the enormous figure of six thousand men. 
It was a lesson to Lee which he profited by, and no 
further efforts were made to dislodge our army. 

When this attack was made upon the right of our line, 
a portion of the troops who were used in it were brought 
from the front of the extreme right of our line at Hatcher's 
Run. In order to conceal their withdrawal, the pickets in 
that neighborhood made very bold demonstrations at that 
point. The capture of Gordon's men gave General Grant 
a full key to the mystery, and he ordered an advance upon 
the extreme left at Hatcher's Run, which had been weak- 
ened by the withdrawal of Gordon. Our troops made a 
very successful advance, gained several strong positions, 
and extended their lines toward the South Side railroad, 
taking some important field-works, which they held. 
Our loss at Hatcher's Run was six hundred and ninety. 
The rebels lost three hundred and sixty-five prisoners, and 
their loss in killed and wounded, by estimate of General 
Humphreys, was about sixteen hundred. 

The Second Corps, which was more in the centre, was 
also ordered to attack and take advantage of the rebel dis- 
comfiture at Fort Steadman. It pushed forward in front 
of Fort Fisher and captured the enemy's intrenched 
picket line. 

> PRESIDENT LINCOLN ON THE FIELD. 

On the 24th of March, 18G5, President Lincoln arrived 
at General Grant's headquarters, at City Point, and was 
warmly welcomed by the Lieutenant-General. On Sat- 
urday afternoon, the 25th, he visited the scene of the 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 228 

morning's battle in company with Generals Grant and 
Meade. The day had been fixed for a grand review, but 
the bloody events of the forenoon had decided that there 
should be none, and the President, cheered by the great 
victory just achieved, remarked, " This is better than a 
review." 

COUNCIL OP WAR. 

On Tuesday, March 28th, President Lincoln, Lieuten- 
ant-General Grant, and Major-Generals Meade, Sher- 
man, Sheridan and Ord, held a Council of War on board 
the steamer River Queen, at City Point, and shortly 
thereafter. General Sherman was again under way to 
rejoin his army. 

THE GRAND CAMPAIGN.— WEDNESDAY, 
MARCH 29th. 

Movements of troops had been in progress for two or 
three days, their purpose being merely concentration and 
their disposition at proper points. These preliminary 
movements were simply the placing the arrow on the 
bow and tightening the string. 

Early Wednesday morning the bow was bent and the 
arrow launched out. The march was commenced in that 
direction in which we have always found the enemy, and 
always found him ready to fight. The Second Corps, com- 
mencing its march at six o'clock A. M., passed outside our 
entrenchments, near Hatcher's Run, and advanced along 
the Yaughn road. Before noon, a new line of battle had 
been formed, the right of which rested on the extreme left 
of our former line. This position was taken without 
opposition, and the corps commenced entrenching. This 
new line was formed front, or to the northwest of the 
Vaughn road, and its general direction was similar to 
that of the road. 

The Fifth Corps, which had been massed in rear of the 



224 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

Second, started at three and a half o'clock A. M., from a 
point near the Schenck House, or about one and a half 
miles from the old left of our line. They advanced over 
bye-roads across the country, so as to reach the Yauglm 
road at a point further advanced than the Second Corps 
was to proceed. This arrangement obviated the necessity 
for two corps marching on the same road, and thus saved 
time. Hatcher's Run was crossed before striking the 
Yaughn road, which was entered at a point about five 
miles from Dinwiddle Court House. An advance was first 
made towards the latter place, General Ayers' Division 
up to this time taking the advance. After the head of the 
column had reached a point probably not more than three 
miles from Dinwiddle, a change of direction was ordered. 
One brigade of General Ayers' Division, under General 
GwiN, was posted near the Scott House, to cover the 
Yaughn road, and the remainder of the division being 
held back in reserve, Griffin's Division was then placed 
in advance. 

The column now left the Yaughn road at a point dis- 
tant three or four miles from Dinwiddle Court House, and 
advanced northwardly up what is known as the Quaker 
road, in the direction of the Boydton Plank road, some 
three miles distant. Within something less than a mile 
from the Yaughn road, the troops crossed Gravelly Run, 
and ascending a slight hill beyond that stream, found a 
line of abandoned breastworks, from which the Rebel 
pickets had just retired. Here a skirmish line was thrown 
forward, and quite sharp firing commenced at once. The 
skirmish line crossing an open plantation was brought to, 
being near the farther side of it, by rebels posted on the 
edge of a tract of woods. 

The First Brigade of General Griffin's Division was 
now ordered forward to support the skirmishers. When 
arriving within short rifle range of the woods aforesaid, a 



LIFE OF LIEUTEXANT-QENERAL GRANT. 225 

tremendous volley of musketry greeted their advance, 
causing them to waver and fall back. The Second Bri- 
gade now came up to the support of the First, and the 
latter rallied and stood firm. Sharp musketry continued 
for nearly an hour, and in the meantime Battery B, of 
the First United States, was got into position and com- 
menced firing with considerable effect. The enemy used 
no artillerj^ at all. 

While the fight lasted, General Warren was engaged 
forming his line of battle, placing the Third Division 
(General Crawford's) and the Third Brigade of the First 
Division (Griffin's) respectively on the right and left of 
the Quaker road. The enemy perceiving the force that 
was being massed against them retired to a point further 
back. We captured here about one hundred prisoners. 
Our loss in killed and wounded was estimated at nearly 
three hundred. The action commenced at about half 
past three o'clock P. M., and closed soon after four. 
It was short, but extremely sharp while it lasted. 
BusHROD Johnson's Division was the force engaged on 
the part of the enemy. No other fighting occurred at 
any point on the line. 

Sheridan was on the extreme left at Dinwiddie Court 
House and beyond. 

That night, General Meade's headquarters were on the 
Vaughn road, some three miles beyond Hatcher's Run, 
and General Grant's about a mile further out. 

A heavy rain prevailed throughout Thursday, and the 
army moved with difiiculty, yet portions of it were ad- 
vanced. The Second Division of the Second Corps, Gene- 
ral Heys, being the pivot of the army moving, remained 
stationary during the day on the line assumed the pre- 
vious night, the right being at Dabney Mills. General 
MoTT, with the Third Division, had been slightly ad- 
vanced ; General Miles with the First rather more ; the 



226 LIFE OF LIEUTEXANT-GEXERAL GRANT. 

Fifth Corps still more, the movement as a whole having 
developed itself into a grand left wheel. 

THE BATTLES OF FHIDAY, SATUBDAY AN'D 

SVNDAY. 

During Friday, March 31st, Saturday, April 1st, and 
Sunday, April 2d, General Grant's whole line was en- 
gaged with the enemy, and he telegraphed the progress 
of the battle at intervals through each day to President 
Lincoln, who remained at City Point. The following 
brief despatches which the President transmitted as he 
received them to the War Department at Washington, 
tell in few and modest words the story of the victories 
won at all points on those eventful days. 

FIRST BULLETIN.— TELEGRAPH FROM 
PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 

City Point, Ya., Ilarch 31, 1865—8-30 P.M. 
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War: — At 12-30 
P. M., to-day, General Grant telegraphed me as follows: 

"There has been much hard fig-hting this morning. The 
enemy drove oiir left from near Dabney's House back well 
toward the Boydton Plank road. We are now about to take 
the offensive at that point, and I hope will more than recover 
the lost ground." 

Later he telegraphed again as follows : 

" Our troops, after being driven back on to the Boydton 
Plank road, turned round and drove the enemy in turn, 
and took the White Oak road, which we now have. This 
gives us the ground occupied by the enemy this morning. I 
will send you a Rebel flag captured by our troops in driving 
the enemy back. There have been four flags captured to-day." 

Judging by the two points from which General Grant 
telegraphs, I infer that he has moved his headquarters 
about one mile since he sent the first of the two de- 
spatches. A. Lincoln. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 227 

SECOND BULLETIN. 

] Washington, April 1 — 11 P. M. 
Major- General J. A. Dix, New York : — The following 
letter from the President, received to-night, shows the 
desperate struggle between our forces and the enemy 
continues undecided, although the advantage appears to 
be on our side. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

" City PoixNt, Va., April 1, 5-30 P. M. 
"Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War : — A despatch just 
received shows that Sheeidan, aided by Warren, had at two 
o'clock P. M., pushed the enemy back so as to retake the Five 
Forks and to bring his own head-quarters up to Boissua, The 
Five Forks was barricaded by the enemy, and was carried by 
Devin's Division of Cavalry. This part of the enemy seems 
to be working along the White Oak Road to join the main 
forces in the front of Grant, while Sueridan and Warren are 
pressing them as closely as possible. 

"A. Lincoln." 

THIRD BULLETIN. 

Washington, April 2 — 6 A. M. 
Major- General Dix, New York : — A despatch just re- 
ceived from General Grant's Adjutant-General, at City 
Point, announces the triumphant success of our armies, 
after three days of hard fighting, during which the forces 
on both sides exhibited unsurpassed valor. 

Edward M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

** CiTy Point, April 2, 5-30 A. M. 
" Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War : — A despatch from 
General Grant states that Sheridan's Cavalry and Infantry 
have carried all before them, capturing three brigades of infan- 
try, a wagon train and several batteries of artillery. The pri- 
soners captured will amount to several thousand. 

" T. C. Bowers, A. A. G." 

FOURTH BULLETIN. 

Washington, April 2 — 11 A. M. 
Major-General Dix, New York : — The following tele- 
gram from the President, dated at 8 30 this morning. 



228 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

gives the latest intelligence from the front, where a furious 

battle was raging with continued success to the Union 
arms. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

" City Point, Va., A^ril 2—8-30 A. M. 
" Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War : Last night General 
Grant telegraphed that General Sheridan, with his cavalry, 
and the Fifth Corps, had captured three brigades of infantry, 
a train of wagons, several batteries, and several thousand pris- 
oners. This morning, General Grant, having ordered an attack 
along the whole line, telegraphs as follows : — ' Both AVright 
and Parke got through the enemy's lines. The battle now 
rages furiously. Sheridan, with his cavalry, and the Ffth 
Corps, and Miles' Division of the Second Corps, which was 
sent to him since one o'clock this morning, is now sweeping 
down from the west. All now looks highly favorable. General 
Ord is engaged, but I have not yet heard the result in his front.* 

"A. Lincoln." 

FIFTH BULLETIN. 

Washington, April 2, 12-30 P. M. 
Major-General Dix, Neiv Yorjc : — The President, in 
the subjoined telegram, gives the latest news from the 
front. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

" City Point, Ya., April 2, 11 A. M. 
" Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War : Despatches come 
in frequently. All is going on finely. Generals Parke, Wright 
and Ord, extending from the Appomattox to Hatcher's Run, 
have all broken through the enemy's intrenched lines, taking 
some forts, guns and prisoners. Sheridan, with his cavalry, 
Fifth Corps, and part of the Second, is coming in from the 
west, on the enemy's flank, and Wright is already tearing up 
the. South Side railroad. "A. Lincoln." 

SIXTH BULLETIN— VICTORY— TWELVE THOU- 
SAND PRISONERS AND FIFTY GUNS CAP- 
TURED. 

Washington, April 2. 

Major-General Dix, New York : — The following tele- 
grams from the President report the condition of affairs 

at half-past four o'clock this afternoon : 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 229 

" City Point, Va., April 2—2 P. M. 

" To Hon .E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War : At 10-45 A. M., 
General Grant telegro.phs as follows: 'Everything has been 
carried from the left of the Ninth Corps. The Sixth Corps 
alone captured more than three thousand prisoners. The 
Second and Twenty-fourth Corps ])oth captured forts, guns and 
prisoners from the enemy. I cannot tell the number. 

" 'We are now closing around the works of the line immedi- 
ately enveloping Petersburg. All looks remarkably well.' I 
have not yet heard from Sheridan. His head-quarters have 
been moved up to T. Banks' house near the Boydton road, 
about three miles southwest of Petersburg. 

" A. Lincoln." 

City Point, Va., April 2, 1865, 8-30 P. M. 
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War : At 4-30 P.M. 
to-day, General Grant telegraphs as follows : — 

" We are now up, and have a continuous line of troops, and 
in a few hours wnll be entrenched from the Appomattox below 
Petersburg, to the river above. 

" The whole captures since we started out will not amount 
to less than twelve thousand men, and probably fifty pieces of 
artillery, 

" I do not know the number of men and guns accurately, 

however. 

"A portion of Foster's Division of the Twenty-fourth Corps 
made a most gallant charge this afternoon, and captured a 
very important fort from the enemy, with its entire garrison. 

"All seems well with us, and every thing is quiet just now. 

" A. Lincoln." 

THE DECISIVE BATTLE OF THE WAR— SUN- 
DAY, APRIL 2d, 1865. 

On Sabbath morning, April 2d, 1865, amidst the roar of 
artillery, and the crash, and flame, and smoke of burning 
houses, the great Rebellion died. Richmond and Peters- 
burg were captured. Hundreds of guns, and thousands 
of prisoners taken. Lee's army shattered, broken, and 
scattered to the four winds 1 This is the history of the 
day. How can it be told? AVhat pen can so write it 
that all who run may read its full significance— its mighty 
import ? 



230 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 
The turning-point of the movement was Sheridan's 

BATTLE OF FIVE FORKS, 

Fought Saturday afternoon, with his cavalry and the 
Fifth Corps. The battle was, practically, Longstheet's 
ruin. Fifty-seven hundred prisoners, and three batteries of 
artillery, were the material trophies of the victory, but 
the moral results were of far greater importance. Our 
loss in the battle was severe. The only general officer 
lost was Brevet Brigadier-General Winthrop, command- 
ing the First Brigade of General Ayers' division of the 
Fifth Corps j one of those chivalrous soldiers New Eng- 
land sent into the war. 

The battle was fought and won in Sheridan's accus- 
tomed style. Custer, Devins, and Davis, of the cavalry 
corps, Griffin, Ayers, Crawford, and Bartlett, of the 
Fifth Corps, won new laurels in the fight, and the enemy 
was driven pell-mell from his last Yirginia battle-field, 
with heavy loss in killed and wounded. 

Longstreet, after his defeat, fled, first north and then 
Avestward, probably with the hope to effect a junction 
with Johnston in North Carolina. 

Going from their right to left, the three divisions of 
Hill's Corps were holding the line .from the Boydton 
road below Burgess' Mill to opposite the centre of the 
Sixth Corps, where it joined with Gordon, who held from 
that point around Petersburg to the Appomattox river. 

Time now became the essential element of the situation, 
and to fully comprehend the rapid changes that followed, 
it is necessary to bear in mind not days, but hours and 
minutes. 

SATURDAY NIGHT, APRIL 1st, 1865. 

f During the terrible cannonading which lasted all 

Saturday night, it was detcrmiuod to assault the line we 



LIFE OF LIEUTEXANT-GEXERAL GRANT. 231 

had been confronting so longV' It was known that it 
must be weak somewhere, and a grave suspicion rested in 
the minds of many of our officers that it was in that pre- 
dicament everywhere. It was known positively that 
LoNGSTEEET was not attemptinf^ to return to Petersburg 
as yet, and that Hill and Gordon were alone on the line. 
It might chance that some one or more of the forts were 
heavily manned, and be so stubbornly defended as to dis- 
arrange our whole programme ; but if so, something else 
might be done. ■" We knew exactly what was before us so 
far as physical obstacles were concerned. We had been 
looking on, into and beyond the rebel line of works for 
months.,,. Our pickets and sharp-shooters knew every 
inch of the ground ; our generals had correct diagrams of 
their works ; every slashing, rifle-pit, fort, abattis, were 
old-time acquaintances. The only point on which we 
would necessarily be in the dark — and it was an all-im- 
portant one — was as to what disposition Lee might make 
of his force during the night. Should he leave them 
scattered along his whole line, from Burgess' Mill to the 
Appomattox, we could break it and hold it everywhere. 
Should he mass at certain points during the night,' we 
might be there repulsed, which would cause the whole 
programme to miscarry. To guard as much as possible 
against this, it was determined to assault first with the 
Ninth Corps, immediately in front of Petersburg, in the 
hope that Lee might be induced to mass to some extent, 
and leaving his right, the vital point, more exposed to the 
attempt of the Sixth, Twenty-fourth, and Second Corps. 
How admirably the ruse succeeded, this narrative will 
show. It will show further, that, while Grant's general- 
ship completely bafiled Lee, he succeeded as thoroughly 
in befogging the North, and those who were present as 
lookers-on. Men and newspapers talked of a raid to 
Burkesville by Sheridan, of an attempt to reach the 



232 LIFE OF LIEUTEXA^'T-GENERAL GRANT. 

South Side road, at or near Black and White ; of every 
thing and any thing but what was actually intended and 
accompli.shed. No one dreamed on Saturday that Grant's 
plans for the succeeding twenty-four hours involved the 
cutting in two and annihilation of Lee's army, the capture 
of Petersburg and Richmond, the death of the rebellion. 
Not a man, outside the confidence of Grant, Meade, Ord, 
and the corps commanders. 

SUNDAY, APRIL 2d, 4 O'CLOCK A. M. 

The Ninth Corps initiated our glory. Still lying 
directly in front of Petersburg, General Parke was in his 
old-time position, pressing close up to the town. > His 
divisions were, as of old, Wilcox on the right, resting on 
the Appomattox ; Hartranft, with the glow of Saturday's 
glory still bright upon him, and his new star to be bap- 
tized, was in the centre, and Potter, with the Second 
Division, was on the left, joining Wheaton, of the Sixth 
Corps. 

The programme was for Wilcox to make a feint upon 
the rebel fort upon the Appomattox. /It was made 
promptly to the time, but was a somewhat vigorous feint. 
Creeping up to within a few feet of the fort, at the word 
of command the gallant First Division sprang to its feet, 
and, with the old-time yell, rushed on the work. At four 
and a quarter o'clock they w^ere in the fort, had captured 
the astonished garrison of fifty men, and four guns,/ This 
was the feint of Wilcox, and, almost simultaneously, 
Hartranft and Potter advanced. It was in the same 
style. Creeping up under cover of the darkness, the two 
divisiotis sprang to their feet, and at the double-quick, 
without firing a shot, broke through the rebel line, 
capturing four forts, tvv'-cnty- seven guns, and hundreds of 
prisoners, ylhe moment they were in possession of the 
works, they turned their guns on the flying enemy, some- 



LIFE OF LIEUTEXANT-GENERAL GRANT. 233 

what ungraciously using rebel ammunition to accelerate 
rebel flight. ,.. 

'^hus at daylight Parke had gained entire possession 
of the rebel line in his front, and without loss. Later in 
the day, he had stubborn fighting to do, and heavy losses 
to sustain. ' 

Simultaneously with the advance of the Ninth Corps, 
the old Sixth, heroes already, but to be rebaptized in 
glory to-day, began their work under General Wright. 
His divisions also advanced in the same order in which 
they had occupied our works, Wheaton's First Division 
on the right, Seymour's Third Division centre, and 
Getty's Second Division on the left, joining at Fort 
Sampson the new line of the Twenty-fourth Corps, with 
Foster's Division on its right. 

General Wright had to sustain a volley before he 
reached the rebel line, but his loss from it was very slight. 
They had orders to carry the rebel line, and carry it they 
intended to do, and did. The ground between the two 
lines, all along from Fisher to Lee, where the advance 
was made, is entirely open, and comparatively level, the 
only ravine being nearly to the rebel line, and running for 
some distance parallel with it, a circumstance that was of 
material advantage to us. Not five minutes elapsed from 
the time Wright gave the signal to storm, before Sey- 
mour, Wheaton and Getty were over the rebel line, in 
possession of all its guns, and hundreds of its occupants 
as prisoners. The enemy flying in wild disorder across the 
open country to their interior line, we opened upon them 
with their own pieces, and although without great effect, it 
served admirably to frighten them. Oh, the wild haste 
they made from the conquering Yankees in their rear. 
Many regiments claimed the honor of being first over the 
rebel line, and among them the Ninth New York Heavy 
Artillerv, and the Eighty-.seventh Pennsylvania Lifantry; 



234 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

but amidst conflicting accounts, it is impossible to deter- 
mine these matters with sufficient accuracy. All regi- 
ments, every man, did well, did nobly, could not do 
better. In the first charge, Wheaton took twelve pieces 
of artillery, and nearly the entire Mississippi Brigade of 
Heth's Division, composed of the Second, Tenth, Eleventh, 
Twelfth, Sixteenth, Nineteenth, and Forty-second Mis- 
sissippi. 

y Thus by five o'clock we had miles of the rebel line in 
full and complete possession, and the demoralized enemy 
was flying in dismay to his interior lines, drawn close in 
to Petersburg on the south and west, y A pause followed 
the work of the early morning, but at 

SEVEN O'CLOCK 

The Second and Twenty-fourth Corps began the work 
assigned them. First, of the Twenty-fourth, which 
joined the Sixth. Generals Ord and Gibbon had been 
along its front as late as one o'clock in the morning, and 
satisfied that all was ready, they and their weary staffs 
snatched a couple of hours of sleep, in the midst of hun- 
dreds of great guns thundering along the lines. At the 
hour named, Turner and Foster assaulted the rel^el line 
in their front, and carried it with very little loss. The 
ground over which they advanced was difficult in the ex- 
treme, cut up into ugly ravines, and encumbered with in- 
tricate slashing. The distance was short, fortunately, and 
somehow the two divisions got over it and over the 
rebel works at the same time, the One-hundred-and- 
twenty-third Ohio, of the First Brigade, commanded by 
Lieutenant- Colonel Potter, Thirty-eighth Massachusetts, 
being first, had time enough to capture four guns and a 
large portion of Cook's Brigade, of Heth's Division, 
consisting of the Third, Fourth, Twelfth, Twenty-first 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 235 

and Twenty-third Georgia, and the Twenty-third North 
Carolina. 

Simultaneously with the assault of the Twenty-fourth, 
the Second Corps advanced immediately on the opposite 
side of Hatcher's Run. If the ground was difficult before 
the Twenty-fourth Corps, it was apparently impassable 
before the Second. It was a gradual ascent all the way, 
and covered with a slashing almost unparalleled in the 
experience of the war. Through it Hayes must go 
with the Second Division, and through, in some way, he 
did go. He had with him only his First and Second 
Brigades, the Third, under General Smyth, having been 
sent to operate with General Mott, further to the left. 

Under cover of the guns of Battery B, First Rhode 
Island Artillery, Colonel Olmsted with the First Brigade, 
and Colonel McIvor with the Second, rushed into the 
two forts before them, and with a loss of less than a 
dozen, found themselves in possession of five guns 
(twelve-pound Napoleons) and nearly all of Macomb's 
Brigade of Heth's Division, comprising the Fifth, Seventh, 
Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Seventeenth Tennessee. Here 
the Nineteenth Massachusetts and Seventh Michigan 
entered the fort first, of the First Brigades ; Massachusetts 
and Michigan, the far East and far West joining hands 
this Sabbath morning in the last ditch of the Rebellion ! 
Of the Second Brigade the Eighth New York Heavy 
Artillery was ahead, Lieutenant James Young, of Com- 
pany G, going first into the fort with twenty men. The 
fort on the left was first entered by a sergeant of the 
Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania. 

Further to the left of our line, General Mott, with his 
famous Red Diamonds, kept step with the white trefoil 
of the Second Division of the Second Corps. The Eighth 
New Jersey, of McAllister's Brigade, is reported as the 
regiment that first entered the enemy's lines. General 



236 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

Miles captured the rebel line where it crosses the Doyd- 
ton road at Burgess' Mill, and he was immediately in full 
march on the Boydton road toward Petersburg. 

AT EIGHT O'CLOCK, 

We had broken in the entire rebel line from the Appo- 
mattox to Burgess' Mill, and the Sixth Corps had swung 
around, facing the doomed Cockade City from the west; 
the Twenty-fourth Corps was marching from Hatcher's 
Run, east, inside the rebel line, and the Second Corps in 
the same direction, on the Boydton road. No army was 
ever in more magnificent spirits. Every man seemed to 
be endowed with intuitive power to understand the full 
significance of the mighty events they had been enacting. 
The smile of triumph was on every lip, the sparkle of joy 
in every eye. At this moment General Grant rode along 
the lines towards Petersburg. He had left his headquar- 
ters at Dabney Mills a few minutes before, and was on his 
way to personally overlook the work yet to be done. The 
Army of the Potomac has long out-lived its cheering 
days. It cheered General McClellan frequently, but 
since then its commander has been paid the compliment 
at rare intervals. But now it greeted General Grant 
with shouts of triumph, it cheered him long and lustily. 
The scene brought vividly to mind those early days of 
Napoleon's Italian campaign, since when we have had no 
such manifestations of military genius as this day fur- 
nished us. The Lieutenant-General acknowledged the 
salute by lifting his hat, but never stopped riding on at 
that brisk pace so natural to him. 

So far our success had been splendid beyond precedent, 
perhaps beyond expectation. Would it last ? Grant, 
surveying the interior lines of Lee, running at right 
angles with his old line, and from it to the Appomattox, 
thought so, probably, but as ever 1)crore, his countenance 



. LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 23^ 

afforded no clue to what he thought. A word in ex- 
planation of these interior lines is necessary. Appa- 
rently four in number, the three outer ones were isolate 
forts built as outposts for the fourth and last, which was 
one of great strength, and looked down upon us most 
frowningly from the slight range of hills upon which it 
was located, and it was these outer forts spoken of as 
lines which were carried. 

AT NINE O'CLOCK, 

The Twenty-fourth Corps being in short supporting dis- 
tance, the Sixth Corps went to work again. Now comes 
that portion of the day where everything was seen 
plainly but nothing certainly known. The spectator be- 
held the magnificent panorama of war spread out like a 
map before him, the scene bathed in the soft April sun- 
shine. It was a scene of indescribable grandeur, but out 
of it, hour after hour, great events emerged. Wheaton 
still on the right, Seymour having swung to the left, and 
tearing up the South Side road, leaving Getty in the 
centre, the corps advanced on to the first of the rebel 
lines. We had four batteries of field pieces playing on it, 
at short range, which, once in a while would elicit a reply 
from the rebel works, when a shell whizzing as angrily 
as if ashamed of the cause in which it was sent, whizzed 
over the heads of our men, to bury itself in the earth be- 
yond, or harmlessly explode over a deserted field. Little 
our troops cared for all this. Forming in short range of 
the rebel works as leisurely and orderly as if they were 
on dress parade, the divisions of the Sixth Corps ad- 
vanced on the first line. At the double-quick, never 
stopping to fire, with a wild yell of delight, over they 
went. The enemy fled again, leaving the guns in the fort 
in our possession. Some few of our men were killed and 

wounded, but the loss was still insignificant. 
15 



388 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

It was a strange sight to see the flag of the Union and 
the cross of the Sixth Corps flying over the rebel lines, 
and stranger still, after a moment's pause, to see those 
very guns which but an instant before had been firing 
on us now turned in the opposite direction and sending 
their iron hail after the flying foe. After the carrying 
of the first line there was another halt. The batteries 
were shifted right and left and advanced beyond the 
captured line. There was marching to and fro of brigades. 
The Twenty-fourth Corps came up on the left. Gibbon 
and Turner and Foster were on the ground to share 
the further glories. From the right of the line a long 
line of muskets glancing in the sunshine could be seen, 
and with a good glass the trefoil of the Second Corps 
could be distinguished floating over the columns, a 
symbol of victory as well as the Second Corps. Vic- 
tory travelled with that column, for Humphreys, Miles, 
MoTT, and Smyth, and scores of others whose names are 
historic in the land were there. It may be remarked 
here, although slightly out of its order, that this column, 
after travelling the Boydton road to within four miles 
of Petersburg, turned square off to the left, taking a road 
leading to the Appomattox, and soon disappeared from the 
scene. 

The Sixth Corps still lay upon the side of the hill 
facing the second line of rebel works, and while tho 
Twenty-fourth filed by to take position on its left, the 
batteries opened again, and soon that peculiar light 
smoke — a strange mixture of blue and a dingy white, 
known since the days of gunpowder as battle smoke — 
arose in fantastic wreaths and covered the field. There 
was other smoke there. Dozens of houses, an hour ago 
substantial and elegant dwellings, dotting the splendid 
landscape, were in flames, and the columns of smoke 
arising from them in heavy clouds, shrouded our lines for 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 239 

a moment, and then, lifted by the wind, floated ofif with it 
to the northeast. 

The pause continued, Grant had laid out a pro- 
gramme for the army. Meade, and Wright, and Gibbons' 
commands were to execute it, and did. The commanders 
rode slowly up and down the line. You could see their 
various flags waving now on some little hillock, where 
they stopped to examine the rebel line, now disap- 
pearing in a hollow as the little party trotted on to 
another part of the line. All was ready in a few minutes. 
The forts to be assaulted had been selected, and again 
the command to charge was given. The shrill bugle, 
sounded over the plain, and Wheaton, Seymour, Getty, 
Turner and Foster, moved again. The scene of the 
previous half-hour was re-enacted again. In three 
columns they moved on each fort. Again the wild cry 
of anticipated triumph arose from the ranks of blue. 
Again the Rebels made a feeble and ineffectual resist- 
ance, and again our soldiers swarmed over their works, 
and planted the flag of freedom upon the ramparts. 
Once more guns and prisoners, this time from Wilcox's 
North Carolina Division. We began to be oppressed 
with the magnitude of our triumphs. There were re- 
peated instances where a guard of one man escorted a 
squad of ten or fifteen prisoners to the rear. In this 
charge one fort mounting several guns was taken by the 
Vermont Brigade. There Kiefer and L. O. Grant shone 
like gods of war. Grant showed the persistence of his 
namesake, our great Ulysses. Wounded through the 
hand he refused to leave, had the wound dressed on the 
field, and continued in charge of his brigade. There were 
other heroes. Getty's, and Wheaton's, and Seymour's 
Divisions were heroes ; every man. So were Turner's 
and Foster's. The jovial Foster, true type of the 
Hoosier, a man of the Logan stamp, enjoyed the work of 
the morning far more than anything earth could furnish. 



240 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

TEN O'CLOCK 

Came, and leaving our left pausing in front of the third 
line of the rebel works, we must sweep around to the 
right where the Ninth Corps is still battling. Here the 
rebels made what seemed a determined effort to re- 
take what they had lost, but which was in reality an 
attempt to cover their withdrawal from Petersburg. 
Gordon made the effort, but Lee was in the town per- 
sonally superintending everything. The rebels made a 
charge, and seemed for a time likely to drive the Ninth 
Corps from the line it had won so easily. The fire was 
particularly heavy on the Second Division and on the 
Third. General Potter, commanding the Second Division, 
was shot through the groin, and borne dying from the field, 
and his men fell in scores around. Still the division 
stood firm to the works, and repulsed the enemy at last. 
Hartranft was overworked and overtasked. His little 
division of two brigades had been put to a severer test 
than ever new troops had been called on to undergo. 
Covered with the glory of Steadman, they had been in the 
trenches night and day since, and their physical strength 
was so weak that for a moment they retired. But only 
for a moment. One last effort, a straining as of the mus- 
cles of an overstrung horse, and with the effort the enemy 
was beaten back. But we lost one fort at last, and the 
line was to that extent broken. 

More troops were needed on this part of our lines. 
Where should they come from ? Every man of the 
Army of the Potomac was already in use. The Fifth 
and Second Corps were already en route to cut off the 
anticipated retreat of the enemy ; and not a man of the 
Sixth, Twenty-fourth, or of Birney's Division of the 
Twenty-fifth Corps could be spared from the line west 
of Petersburg, for although not yet meeting with any 



LIFE OF LIEUTEXA NT-GENERAL GRANT. 241 

opposition they could not overcome, the ground we bad 
gained there must be held against any possible attack. 
But Forts Steadman and Hill, and all the others on the 
front must have more men, ond they were found. There 
were five splendid regiments and hundred's of Sheridan's 
dismounted men at City Point, and City Point was 
stripped of them. All were hurried instantly to the front, 
and all the garrisons, prisons, and wharves of the Point 
were left with only one hundred and forty men. The 
critical hour was past now. For the first time every man 
in the armies operating against Richmond was employed 
in active operations against the enemy. 

These troops arrived at Meade station at noon, and 
were hurried to the front ; but the yeoman service they 
did was some two hours later in the day, and we again 
hurry to the left, where, 

AT ELEVEN O'CLOCK, 

The splendid war programme was still visible, with all its 
shifting, glorious changes. Glorious they were, because 
each spoke in thunder tones of the demoralization of Lee's 
army. 

Meade and Wright and Gibbon were still at work. 
The Sixth Corps was shifting to the right, and how was 
it being done ? In plain view and easy range of the 
third interior line of Lee, we were moving in column 
as if on a gala-day parade, and so in truth it was ; the 
Army of the Union in joyful attendance on the funeral 
of the Rebellion. 

At this hour not a sound came from the field ; not a 
gun was speaking anywhere ; not a shout heard on all 
the line. The rebel lines were as hushed as our own ; 
their guns looked down frowningly upon us from the huge 
forts in which they were incased, but not one of them 
spoke ; not a horse neighed ; not a dram or bugle sounded ; 



242 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

not one of the ammunition wagons moving hither over the 
sandy soil of the undulating landscape gave forth a sound. 
The whole field was stilled as if in death. Suddenly one 
of the guns- upon the fort on the rebel left belched forth 
a dull report ; a wreath of rising smoke, the bursting of 
a shell, and all was still again. The next moment another, 
then another, then three guns opened in a continuous roar. 
They were attempting to retard the march of three of our 
brigades gaining the shelter of a small skirt of timber 
upon their left, from which to assault them. Vain hope 1 
The columns move on, paying them not even the compli- 
ment of a moment's pause, or of a gun in reply. Poor 
Lee ! struggling like a child in the hand of a g-iant deter- 
mined to destroy him. Thus the hour passed, and by 

TWELVE O'CLOCK 
It was discovered that Lee was in retreat across the Ap- 
pomattox. From our signal towers his columns could be 
seen beginning to move over the river on three separate 
pontoons, just "above the city, and huge fires were already 
raging in the town itself, showing that the Rebels had 
applied the torch to accelerate their own ruin. Provision 
had already been made for Lee's anticipated retreat. It 
was not a part of the programme that any part of his army 
should escape, and the Second and Fifth Corps had long 
ago moved to the Appomattox, and must have been at 
this hour across it or near it. At any rate, the calcula- 
tions were that they were near enough to force Lee and 
his flying hordes to battle and ruin long before he reached 
the Danville road. 

AT TWO O'CLOCK 

All was activity again, both right and left. On the 
left the Sixth Corps assaulted the large fort I have men- 
tioned, and auother next to it, on the left, and TuiiNEB 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 248 

and Foster, of the Twenty-fourth Corps, stormed one 
each, further to the rebel right. The scene was again 
in full view, and had all the elements of grandeur of its 
predecessor of the morning. The bugle sounded, and the 
mass of blue sprang forward, as before ; and, as before, 
the rebels made a feeble and ineffectual resistance. Oar 
movements were like lightning. From the moment the 
charge sounded until the instant we swarmed over the 
works was the shortest appreciable period of time, and 
before the dumbfounded enemy well knew we had 
started, our flags were flying over the ramparts, our shout 
of triumph ringing along their lines, some of them flying, 
with their own guns turned upon them, and the remainder 
going to the rear as prisoners. 

Carrying this line, getting into position before the fourth 
and last, occupied the hour from two to three on the left. 
Our triumph was assured — the way to Petersburg, by the 
Boydton road, was all but open — an hour more, and 
Meade, if he so willed, could have marched into the 
Cockade City. 

ON THE RIGHT. 

On the right this same hour of two o'clock was an 
hour of triumph. It had been determined to retake the 
rebel fort they had wrested from us, and the fresh brigade 
of General Collis, from City Point, was assigned to the 
duty, composed of the Sixty-eighth and One-hundred-and- 
fourteenth Pennsylvania, the Twentieth New York, 
Sixty-first Massachusetts, and the New York Engineers, 
veteran regiments all. 

CoLLis himself headed the charge, having left his post 
at City Point to share the glories of the day. A terrible 
fire greeted the brigade, but it swept through it and over 
and into the disputed fort, settling at once and forever the 
question of its ownership. Our loss had been severe. 
Captain J. M. Eddy, of the One-hundred-and-fourteenth 



244 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

Pennsylvania, commanding the regiment, and leading it 
like a hero, fell mortally wounded, shot through the head ; 
and of the officers there were wounded. Lieutenant John 
WicHER, Company A, in the thigh ; Lieutenant George 
W. Bratton, Company C, leg ; and Lieutenant Edward 
Marrian, Company I, in the arm. Of the Sixty-eighth 
Pennsylvania, Captain Michael Fulmer, Company A, 
mortally wounded, and Captain J. C. Gallagher severely ; 
and in the Sixty-first Massachusetts, Lieutenant Thomas 
C. Hart was killed. But we took the fort, and we held 
it, notwithstanding the efforts of Gordon to regain it, and 
we held all the others against similar attacks. Wilcox's, 
Porter's and Hartranft's Divisions, still displaying the 
valor that won back Steadman, and in the morning had 
won the rebel line. Thus, at half-past three o'clock the 
day was decided ; irretrievable ruin was upon the Rebel- 
lion. It had no last ditch or last legs ; it had been 
ejected from the former, the latter had been struck from 
under it. 

Now is the proper time to remark that this disaster 
came upon Lee suddenly and unexpectedly. It is true, 
he was preparing for contingencies by removing the pub- 
lic stores and works, but he intended to hold these lines to 
the last gasp. The whole rebel army was here. Since 
Sheridan began the battle of Five Forks, prisoners had 
been taken from nearly every brigade. In fifteen captured 
forts the guns were mounted, the magazines supplied with 
ammunition, and all the personelle of the soldier was there. 
In every foot of the miles of their camps there were indi- 
cations that the inhabitants had left home very unex- 
pectedly, and from a pressing necessity. In many huts 
on the left, the unfinished breakfast was left upon the 
ground floor, muskets were strewed about, and blankets 
and knapsacks were scarce, only because the Rebels had 
none. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 245 

AT SIX O'CLOCK, 

Our triumph was complete— our prisoners almost like the 
sands on the sea-shore. ^ We were burdened with them, 
and obliged to call the marines and sailors from Porter's 
fleet to help guard them. / The day's work was over. 

Generals Grant and Meade established headquarters 
for the night on the Boydton road, three miles west of 
Petersburg/-End our forces were poured over the Appo- 
mattox above the city. .Petersburg was of no use, and 
Grant was pursuing Lee with the wrath of an avenging 
angel. 

TRANSACTIONS ON THE JAMES RIVER. 

The picket boat of Porter's fleet the night of the 2d 
of April, was the Commodore Perry, lying immediately 
under Howlett House. The rebel rams Virginia and 
Rappahannock had been for a long time lying in the river 
some distance above Howlett House, but in plain sight. 

At three o'clock in the morning, the watch on board the 
Perry saw a dark object floating by. It was grappled, 
and proved to be the raft used by the Rebels to moor 
alongside their vessels when in need of repairs. It had 
all the tools on board. Here the scene shifts to Richmond. 
Here was the first positive sign of intended evacuation. 
An hour later and the earth was shook as by a volcanic 
eruption. At City Point the terrible concussion shook 
the frail buildings in every timber, and awakened every 
weary sleeper. The sight as viewed from the deck of the 
Perry, and from the ramparts of Fort Harrison, on 
Weitzel's lines, was grand in the extreme. A deafening, 
crashing roar, a thousand hissing, glowing masses of fiery 
matter, suspended for an instant in mid-air, then falling 
with a heavy sound and mighty splash into the vexed 
river. Thus one of the rebel rams passed from existence. 
A few minutes later and the scene was repeated, and the 



24:6 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

other ram followed its mate. The slighter explosions and 
great conflagrations, further up the river at the same 
time, were the destruction of the rebel wooden fleet. 

Around our lines from Hatcher's Run to Petersburg, in 
the changing, shifting scenes of Sunday up the James, the 
story is complete ; but to the full recital of the glories of 
the day there yet remains Weitzel's lines on 

THE NORTH SIDE OP THE JAMES 

To chronicle. When General Ord withdrew to the lines 
investing Petersburg he brought with him exactly one- 
half of his army, being Turner's and Foster's Divisions, 
of the Twenty-fourth Corps, and Birney's Division of the 
Twenty-fifth (colored) Corps. On the north side, occu- 
pying his entire line, he left Weitzel, with Kautz's 
Division of the Twenty-fourth Corps, and Asborne's and 
Thomas' Divisions, of the Twenty-fifth Corps. 

Sunda}^, while the greatest scenes of history were 
enacting around Petersburg, Weitzel's entire line was 
perfectly quiet, not a shot anywhere. The enemy made 
a great show ; every man on the line doubtless had orders 
to make himself appear as much as possible like six. 
Weitzel's command certainly had such orders ; both 
sides were playing the same game, and one was probably 
as little deceived as the other. When night came on the 
rebel bands played vociferously and persistently in 
various parts of their lines : probably half the bands in 
the rebel camps had been called into requisition in the 
game of attempted deception. Weitzel followed the ex- 
ample set him : he set all his bands at work upon our 
National airs, and the night was filled with melodious 
strains, conflicting somewhat, however, in their political 
significance. 

Toward midnight, however, this musical contest ceased, 
and silence, complete and absolute, brooded over the con- 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 247 

tending lines. At the hour specified the camps were startled 
into life again by the explosions already detailed. To Weit- 
zel's clear brain the fall meaning of the event came home at 
once, and he did not need the confirmatory lurid light he 
saw hanging over the rebel capital to tell him that the 
hour had almost come. His orders were to push on 
whenever satisfied of his ability to enter the city, and 
summoning what patience he could he waited the short in- 
terval until daylight, when he sent out the Fifth Massa- 
chusetts Cavalry to reconnoitre./ Its report soon came in — 
no enemy to be found ; his camps deserted of whatever 
force had been there. The way to Richmond was open. 
Southwest of Petersburg had been found the key that had 
unlocked its stubborn gates, and Weitzel was instantly 
on the road. Let his own despatch tell the story. 

" City Point, Va., April 3, 11 A. M. 

" General Weitzel telegraphs as follows : — 

" We took Richmond at 8.15 this morning. I captured many 
guns. Tho enemy left in great haste. 

" The city is on fire in one place. We are making every 
effort to put it out. 

"The people received us with enthusiastic expressions of 

joy. 

" General Grant started early this morning, with the army, 
towards the Danville road, to cut ofi" Lee's retreating army, if 
possible. 

" President Lincoln has gone to the front. 

" {Signed) " T. S. Bowers, Assistant Adjutant- General. 
" E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.'' 

And so Richmond fell I Richmond, the capital of the 
so-called Confederacy ; the city which for four years 
baffled all efi"orts for its reduction. Thanks to the genius 
of Grant and a favoring Providence the Rebellion was 
now in the last throes of dissolution. Right and justice 
were again vindicated, and the long, weary and bloody 
war for the Union, the Constitution and the perpetuity of 
American Liberty was rapidly drawing to a close. Tho 
chief of the Rebellion was a fugitive, his main army was 



248 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

broken and flying, and there remained now no hope in his 
mind, or those of his followers, that the Union could ever 
be overthrown, and a Southern Confederacy established. 

THE PURSUIT OF GENERAL LEE. 

With the energy which characterizes General Grant, 
was the pursuit of Lee's flying and shattered columns 
maintained. On the 4th of April he telegraphed as fol- 
lows to Secretary Stanton : 

"Wilson's Station, Ya., Apiil 4fh, 1865. 

"Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War: — The army is 
pushing forward in the hope of overtaking or dispersing the 
remainder of Lee's army. 

" Sheridan, with his cavalry and the Fifth Corps, is between 
this and the Appomattox. General Meade, with the Second 
and Sixth, following. General Ord following the line of the 
South Side railroad. All of the enemy that retains anything 
like organization have gone north of the Appomattox, and are 
apparently heading for Lynchburg, their losses having been 
very heavy. 

"The houses through the country are nearly all used as hos- 
pitals for wounded men. In every direction I hear of Rebel 
soldiers pushing for home, some in large and some in small 
squads, and generally without arms. The cavalry have pur- 
sued so closely that the enemy have been forced to destroy 
probably the greater part of their transportation, caissons, and 
munitions of war. 

" The number of prisoners captured yesterday will exceed 
two thousand. From the 28th of March to the present time, 
our loss in killed, wounded, and captured will probably not 
reach seven thousand, of whom from fifteen hundred to two 
thousand are captured, and many but slightly wounded. 

" I shall continue the pursuit as long as there appears to be 
any use in it. 

" U. S. Grant, Lieidenant-GeneraV 

Lee had been defeated, and General Grant was deter- 
mined that he should have no opportunity to recover him- 
self, and on the morning of the 3d of April, while the right of 
our line was pressing across the works at Petersburg, to 
find the city evacuated, the Fifth Corps and the cavalry, 
on the left, started out to intercept the retreat of Lee. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT- GENERAL GRANT. 249 

Custer's Third Division was in the cavalry advance, 
with Wells's Second Brigade leading. Camp was 
broken about three miles east of Namozine Creek, and the 
route lay towards the creek along the Namozine road. 
At the creek the enemy's rearguard was found strongly 
entrenched behind earthworks, covering the crossing, the 
bridge being destroyed, and trees felled across the road 
leading down to it. Four guns, two ammunition wagons, 
and two ambulances were found abandoned on this side 
of the creek, hid in the woods. A section of artillery was 
instantly opened against the works, while the cavalry 
easily forded the stream above and flanked them. A 
short skirmish ensued, and the enemy was driven off, and 
the obstructions removed. The road beyond was filled 
with felled trees and piled-up rails, and with emptied 
caissons surrounded by fire, the latter designed to explode, 
and so delay our pursuit. The retreat of the enemy was 
evidently of that sort which follows a rout— the path being 
strewn with wagons, ambulances, dead and wounded 
horses and mules, caissons, boxes of ammunition thrown 
out to lighten the load, mess utensils, arms, accoutrements, 
blankets, clothing, loose cartridges, and similar wrecks. 
Several miles of rapid riding brought the column to 
Namozine Church, at the intersection of two roads, the 
left leading direct to Lynchburg, the one to the right of 
the church to Bevil's bridge, across the Appomattox, on 
to Amelia Court House. / 

Wells passed the church to the left, and soon came up 
with a part of B arrenger's cavalry brigade. The latter were 
pretty well exhausted with their hopeless task, but turned 
and fired on our advance, the Eighth New York. That 
regiment, however, charged without a pause in the pace, 
a.nd dispersed the rearguard, and, the rest of Wells's 
Brigade and Pennington's Brigade coming up, prisoners, 
horses, and arms were captured iu abundance, and the 



250 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

enemy scattered through the woods. Among our killed 
or dangerously wounded were Captains Goodrich, Skiff, 
and Farlee. Wells pressed upon the fugitive enemy 
along the same road for some distance, and then rejoined 
the column on the other road. Capehart's Third Brigade, 
meanwhile, took the road to the right of Namozine Church, 
pushed on rapidly towards Dennisville, crossing Deep 
Creek at the lower ford, the bridge having been destroyed. 
Immediately upon crossing, the brigade charged the 
enemy, and a running fight was kept up for miles, the 
enemy now halting, now flying, and delivering many a 
fatal Parthian shot in his flight. Pennington's First 
Brigade was hurried up, as the enemy, driven into more 
compact form by our own pressure, began to resist with 
determination. The skirmishing and pursuit now con- 
tinued with great zest, our men being in high spirits, and 
driving the enemy with ill ease, killing and wounding 
many, and capturing small squads here and there con- 
tinually. At length Bevil's ford was reached ; but the 
bridge being down, the enemy struck off to the left, on a 
road leading towards a crossing, seven miles further up 
the river. Pennington here halted to gather up our 
men scattered in pursuit of fugitive prisoners, while Cape- 
hart went on after the enemy. The latter, it is said, had 
charge of a long wagon train, which impeded his progress, 
and forced hira to fight briskly here and there. Wells 
had now come across from the road on the left of Namo- 
zine Church, and his brigade was prompt in support of 
Capehart's pursuit. The enemy at length turned once 
more to the right, to cross the Appomattox, and rejoin 
Lee's main army on the other bank. At this turning, 
where roads crossed, the enemy's cavalry rallied, and a 
body of infantry appeared to their support. Capehart's 
Brigade charged as before, but received a volley which 
checked them ; and, immediately after, the enemy's 



y' 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL GRANT. 251 

infantry, with all their old spirit, deployed in an open 
field on the left of his line, crossed our right flank, turned 
and enfiladed it. Our men retreated before the fire for 
half a mile, to where McKenzie's Division (Kautz's old 
Division) was now in line. Lord's Battery A, Second 
Artillery, opened briskly on the enemy, shelling the 
woods. He was checked, and our men soon resumed the 
pursuit. But night was now falling, and the whole 
column encamped. The enemy had been pursued full 
twenty miles, and about three hundred and fifty prisoners, 
two flags, four cannon, and several ammunition wagons 
were captured. Our loss was not more than sixty or 
eighty. 

Early on Tuesday, the 4th, McKenzie's Division was in 
advance, the First Division next, and Custer's Division in 
the rear. Late in the afternoon, McKenzie came upon 
the enemy, who appeared to be posted with both infantry 
and artillery in works about two miles from Bethany. 
Skirmishing began at once, and continued until dark, 
when our troops went into camp and waited for the rest 
of the column. But soon after eleven o'clock the same 
night, the cavalry were again aroused and started ofi^, 
with Custer in advance, and marched all night. The 
advance, at six o'clock the next morning, reached Jetters- 
ville, and there found the whole Fifth Corps well en- 
trenched across the Danville railroad. It was now 
learned that Lee, in his retreat from Richmond, had got 
as far as Amelia Court House, while our forces had 
siezed Burkesville, and were assembling at Jettersville. 
Burkesville is in Prince Edward County, the junction of 
the Richmond and Danville and the South Side railroads, 
fifty-two miles west of Petersburg. Jettersville is in 
Amelia County, on the Danville railroad, about half way 
between Burkesville and Amelia Court House, and fifty- 
four miles southwest of Richmond. Amelia Court House 



252 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT- GENERAL GHANT. 

is in the same county and on the same railroad, forty- 
seven miles southwest of Richmond. 

On Wednesday, April 5th, Custer's Division was 
posted, with artillery, on the left of the Fifth Corps. 
The First Division and McKenzie's Division then pro- 
longed the line to the left. Davies' Brigade of 
Crook's Division was sent by Sheridan, immediately 
on arriving, around on his left flank, tow^ards Burkes- 
ville, to seize that important junction, to ascertain 
what was going on in that direction, and to disperse 
any enemy that might be found there. Davies came 
upon the enemy's cavalry at Fame's Cross-roads, and, 
attacking him, captured several hundred prisoners, five 
new and very beautiful Armstrong guns and caissons, 
about two hundred wagons, mostly empty, and seven or 
eight battle flags. The enemy's infantry then came up 
to the support of his cavalry, and, rapidly forming, drove 
off Davies' gallant brigade. The wagons were burned, 
but the prisoners were brought to camp. Amongst our 
killed was Colonel Janeway. The skirmish was short 
and sharp. Sheridan, at three o'clock P. M., on hearing 
this news, and finding the condition of the enemy, sent 
the following remarkable despatch to General Grant : 

SHERIDAN'S DESPATCH TO GRANT. 

" Jettersville, April 5, 1865. — 3 P. M. 

" To Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant : 

" General : — I send you the enclosed letter, which will give 
you an idea of the condition of the enemy and their where- 
abouts. I sent General Davies' Brigade this morning, around 
on my left flank. He captured at Fame's Cross, five pieces of 
artillery, about two hundred wagons, and eight or nine battle 
flags, and a number of prisoners. The Second Army Corps is 
now coming up. I wish you were here ^'oiirself I feel confi- 
dent of capturing the Anny of Northern Virginia if we exert 
ourselves. I see no escape for Lee. I will send all my cavalry 
out on our left flank, except McKexzie, who is now on the 
right. 

'' [Signed) " P. H. Sheridan, Major- General i" 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 253 

LETTER SENT BY SHERIDAN TO GRANT. 

"Amelia Court-House, April 5, 1865. 
" Dear Brammia : — Our array is ruined, I fear. We are all 
safe as yet. Theodore left us sick. John Taylor is well ; saw 
him yesterday. We are in line of battle this evening. Gene- 
ral Robert Lee is in the field near us. My trust is still in the 
justice of our cause. General Hill is killed. I saw Murray a 
few moments since. Bernard Perry, he said, was taken prisoner, 
but may get out. I send this by a negro I see passing up the 
railr-oad to Michlenburgh. Love to all. Your devoted son, 

" W. B. Taylor, ColoneV 

Meanwhile, the Second Corps had come up, and went 
into position. Sheridan had written to Grant, " I see 
no escape for Lse. I will put all my cavalry out on 
our left flank, except McKenzie, who is now on the 
right." This he proceeded to do. Slight skirmishing 
in the afternoon now foretold the attack of the morrow. 
But we must trace the progress of the infantry to the new 
field of battle. 

The Fifth Corps started on the pursuit during the morn- 
ing of Monday the 3d, soon after the cavalry, both corps 
apparently being under the command of Sheridan, for the 
purposes of this movement. At two o'clock, the corps 
had arrived in sight of the Appomatox. Thence it turned 
to the left, without crossing the river, along the Namozine 
road, behind the cavalry, marching through Amelia county 
and crossing Deep and Namozine creeks. The same evi- 
dences of the disorderly retreat already described were 
evident on every hand. Few people were to be seen, ex- 
cept the contrabands, many of whom joined our column. 
The day's march was sixteen miles, and the blocking of 
the trains in the miry roads prevented it from being 
longer. The next day's, Tuesday's march, was like Mon- 
day's, except that it was twenty miles long, and its con- 
clusion brought the corps to Jettersville, where it was 
massed in an open field, and lay across the railroad. 
Strong earthworks were at once thrown up, and, as the 
16 



^54 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

enemy was only from five to ten miles distant, great cau- 
tion was used. No fires were lighted, and the corps lay- 
ready for battle. 

In the rear of the Fifth Corps marched the Second, 
whose progress, howev^er, was not so much hurried. In 
the rear of the Second was the Sixth. These two corps 
were directed by General Meade, and were on the river 
or Namozine road. The Second Corps marched about 
six miles on the 3d, the protection of the trains, which 
went slowly, requiring tardy progress, and the troops 
were very hard at work in repairing the roads for the 
passage of the artillery trains. The scarcity of rations 
caused an amount of " foraging," which must have con- 
trasted pleasantly with the old Peninsular campaign. 
Not a few prisoners were captured or surrendered along the 
line of march. At midnight the corps was again roused, 
and, after much delay, caused by the obstruction of the 
roads by trains, the column got off. A long march until 
two o'clock of the 4th, brought the corps to Jetters- 
ville. Sheridan immediately had the Second and Third 
Divisions posted on the left of the Fifth Corps, in the 
position from which he had now withdrawn the First and 
Third Divisions of cavalry. An attack from Lee was 
hourly apprehended, but none took place. 

Ord's column of the Army of the James, comprising 
Turner's and Foster's Divisions of the Twenty-fourth 
Corps and Birney's Division of the Twenty-fifth, marched 
down the Cox road on the fourth, from Sutherland's 
station, ten miles west from Petersburg on the South Side 
road, where it separated from the main column. The Cox 
road is the direct road to Burkesville, along the South Side 
railroad Generals Grant and Ord were both with this 
column. It encamped near Wilson's station that night, 
having marched along the railroad a distance of about fif- 
teen miles. Next day, the fifth, it continued with Tur- 
ner's Division in advance along the railroad as far as 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 255 

" Black's and White's," which was reached about two 
o'clock. Thence the roads being very good indeed, the 
column pressed briskly on to Nottaway Court House on 
the railroad, nine miles from Burkesville and about 
eleven from Jettersville. Here it was proposed to halt, 
the column having marched twenty miles. But at six and 
a half o'clock, Sheridan's despatch before referred to 
reached Grant, and he immediately pushed forward the 
two divisions of the Twenty-fourth Corps, leaving Birney 
at " Black's and White's." At eleven o'clock the Twenty- 
fourth Corps marched and camped at Burkesville Junction, 
having undertaken the supplementary march of nine miles 
with great enthusiasm on hearing the good news. Grant 
himself had immediately ridden over to Jettersville, which 
he reached about eleven o'clock. 

On the fourth, two divisions of the Ninth Corps marched 
from Petersburg to Ford's station, on the Southside road, 
about twenty miles west of Petersburg. On the fifth it 
started again, and still moving on the Cox road towards, 
Burkesville, along the railroad, camped at night at Wellers- 
ville, twenty- one miles distant from the latter point. The 
corps had charge of most of the army trains and moved 
along briskly. The next day (the sixth) it pressed on 
along the same road, and encamped at night about ten 
miles from Burkesville, with one brigade of the Second 
Division thrown forward to the Junction. 

On that day, the 6th of April, occurred the decisive 
victory of Deatonsville. On the night previous, the 
army lay in line of battle, stretching across three or four 
miles of country and facing substantially northward. 
Custer's Division of cavalry lay on the right flank and 
McKenzie's on the left flank, '^he infantry line was 
formed with the Sixth Corps on the right, the Fifth in 
the centre and the Second on the left. Next morning 
began our man^uvres. The Sixth Corps was transferred 
from the right to the left. The whole army had before 



256 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

noon, marched about five miles on the road to Deatons- 
ville, six miles distant from Jettersville. The enemy was 
retreating towards Painesville, which was the next town 
westerly from Amelia Court House to Lynchburg. Our 
cavalry, however, was there before him. The battle at 
Deatonsville and Painsville left nothing for Lee to do but 
to surrender. This he did, and on the 9th of April, 1865, 
the whole Army of Northern Virginia passed into the 
record of things that were. 

SURRENDER OP GENERAL LEE. 

The following is the correspondence which passed be- 
tween General Grant and General Lee : 

War Department, ) 
Washinoton, April 9, 1865 — 9 o'clock, P. M. j 
To Major-General Dix, Netu York : 

This Department has received the official report of the sur- 
render, this day, of General Lee and his army to Lieutenant- 
General Grant, on the terms proposed by General Grant. 
Details will be given as speedily as possible. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 



Headquarters Armies of the United States, ) 

April 9—4-30 P. M. j 
Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

General Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia this 
afternoon, upon the terms proposed by myself The accom- 
panying additional correspondence will show the conditions 
fully. U. S. GnAiiT, LieiUenant-General. 



THANKS TO GENERAL GRANT AND THE ARMY. 

War Department, Washington, D. C, ) 
April 9—9-30 P. M. J 
Lieutenant-General Grant : 

Thanks be to Almighty God for the great victory with which 
he has this day crowned you and the gallant Armies under 
your command. 

The thanks of this Department, and of the Government, and 
of the people of the United States — their reverence and honor 
have been deserved — will be rendered to you and the brave and 
gallant officers and soldiers of your army for all time. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 257 



SALUTES ORDERED. 

War Department, Washington, D. C, "I 
April 9—10 o'clock P. M. j 

Ordered : That a salute of two hundred guns be fired at the 
headquarters of every army and department, and at every post 
and arsenal in the United States, and at the Mihtary Academy 
at West Point, on the day of the receipt of this order, in com- 
memoration of the surrender of General R. E. Lee and the 
Army of Northern Virginia to Lieutenant-General Grant, and 
the army under his command ; report of the receipt and execu- 
tion of this order to be made to the Adjutant-General, Wash- 
ington. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 



THE CORRESPONDENCE. 

Clifton House, Va., April 9, 1865. 

Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War : 

The following correspondence has taken place between Gen- 
eral Lee and myself. There has been no relaxation in the 
pursuit during its pendency. 

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 



I. 

GENERAL GRANT TO GENERAL LEE. 

April 7, 1865. 
General R. E. Lee, Commander C. S. A.: 

General : The result of the last week must convince you of 
the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army 
of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and 
regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of 
any further effusion of blood, by asking of you the surrender of 
that portion of the C. S. army known as the Army of Northern 
Virginia. 

Very respectfiUly, your obedient servant. 

U. S. Grant, 

Lieutenant- Gen. Commanding Armies of the United States. 

16 



258 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

II. 

GENERAL LEE TO GENERAL GRANT. 

April 7, 1865. 
General : I have received your note of this date. Though 
not entirely of the opinion you express of the hopelessness of 
further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Vir- 
ginia, I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, 
and therefore, before considering your proposition, ask the terms 
you will offer, on condition of its surrender. 

R. E. Lee, General. 
To Lieutenant- General U. S. Grant, Commanding Armies 
of the United States. 

IIL 
GENERAL GRANT TO GENERAL LEE. 

April 8, 1865. 
To General R. E. Lee, Commanding Confederate States Army : 
General : Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of 
same date, asking the conditions on which I will accept the 
surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, is just received. 

In reply, I would say that peace being my first desire, there 
is but one condition that I insist upon, viz : 

That the men surrendered shall be disqualified for taking up 
arms against the Government of the United States until pro- 
perly exchanged. 

I will meet you, or designate officers to meet any officers you 
may name for the same purpose, at any point agreeable to you, 
for the purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon which 
the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia will be re- 
ceived. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, 
Lieutenant- Gen. Commanding Armies of the United States. 

IV. 

GENERAL LEE TO GENERAL GRANT. 

April 8, 1865. 

General : I received at a late hour your note of to-day in 
answer to mine of yesterday. 

I did not intend to propose the surrender of the Army of 
Northern Virginia, but to ask the terms of your proposition. 
To be frank, I do not think the emergency has arisen to call 
for the surrender. But as the restoration of peace should be 
the sole object of all I desire to know whether your proposals 
would tend to that end. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL GRANT. 259 

I cannot, therefore, meet you with a view to surrender the 
Army of Northern Virginia, but so far as your proposition may 
affect the Confederate States forces under my command, and 
lead to the restoration of peace, I should be pleased to meet 
you at ten A. M., to-morrow, on the old stage-road to 
Kichmond, between the picket lines of the two Armies. 
Verif respectfully, your obedient servant. 

R. E. Lee, General Confederate States^ Armies. 
To Lieutenant- General Grant, Commanding Armies of the 
United States. 

V. 

GENERAL GRANT TO GENERAL LEE. 

April 9, 1865 

General R. E. Lee, Commanding C. S. A. : 

General : Your note of yesterday is received. As I have no 
authority to treat on the subject of peace, the meeting proposed 
for ten A. M., to day, could lead to no good. I will state, 
however, General, that I am equally anxious for peace with 
yourself; and the whole North entertain the same feelmg. 
The terms upon which peace can be had are well understood. 
By the South laying down their arms they will hasten that 
most desirable event, save thousands of human lives, and hun- 
dreds of millions of property not yet destroyed. 

Sincerely hoping that all our diflSculties may be settled with- 
out the loss of another Ufe, I subscribe myself, 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General U. S. A. 

VI. 

GENERAL LEE TO GENERAL GRANT. 

April 9, 1865. 
General : I received your note of this morning on the 
picket line, whither I had come to meet you and ascertam de- 
finitely what terms were embraced in your proposition of yes- 
terday with reference to the surrender of this army. 

I now request an interview in accordance with the offer con 
tained in your letter of yesterday for that purpose. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ^ 

R. E. Lee, General. 
To Lieutenant- General Grant, Commanding United States 
Armies. 



260 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

ni. 

GENERAL GRANT TO GENERAL LEE. 

April 9, 1865. 
General R. E. Lee, Commanding Confederate States Armies : 

Your note of this date is but this moment (11.50 A. M.) re- 
ceived. 

In consequence of my having passed from the Richmond and 
Lynchburg road to the Farmville and Lynchburg road, I am 
at this writing about four miles west of Walter's Church, and 
will push forward to the front for the purpose of meeting you. 

Notice sent to me on this road where you wish the interview 
to take place will meet me. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant- General. 



THE TERMS. 

Appomattox Court-House, April 9, 1865. 
General R. E. Lee, Commanding C. S. A. : 

In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of the 
eighth instant, I propose to receive the surrender of the Army 
of Northern Virginia, on the following terms, to wit : 

Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate, one 
copy to be given to an officer designated by me, the other to be 
retained by such officers as you may designate. 

The officers to give their individual paroles not to taSe arms 
against the United States until properly exchanged, and each 
company or regimental commander sign a like parole for the 
men of their commands. 

The arms, artillery and public property to be packed and 
stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to re- 
ceive them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the officers, 
nor their private horses or baggage. 

This done, each officer and man will be allowed to return to 
their homes, not to be disturbed by United States authority so 
long as they observe their parole and the laws in force where 
they may reside. 

Very respectfully, 

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 261 



THE SURRENDER 

Head-quaeters Army of Northern Virginia, "I 

April 9, 1865, j 

Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, Commanding U. S. A. : 

General : I have received your letter of this date, contain- 
ing the terms of surrender of the army of Northern Virginia, 
as proposed by you ; as they are substantially the same as those 
expressed in your letter of the eighth instant, they are accepted. 
I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipu- 
lations into effect. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

R. E. Lee, General. 

LEE'S ENTIRE LOSSES. 

In the battles around Petersburg and in the pursuit, 
Lee lost over ten thousand men in killed and wounded, 
and twenty thousand men in prisoners and deserters, in- 
cluding those taken in battle, and those picked up ia 
pursuit ; including all arms of the service, teamsters, hos- 
pital force, and everything, from sixteen to eighteen 
thousand men were surrendered by Lee. As only fif- 
teen thousand muskets and about thirty pieces of artil- 
lery were surrendered, the available fighting force could 
hardly have reached much above fifteen or twenty thou- 
sand men. Our total captures of artillery during the bat- 
tles and pursuit, and at the surrender, amounted to about 
one hundred and seventy guns. Three or four hundred 
wagons were also surrendered. 

In the agreement for surrender, the officers gave their 
own paroles, and each officer gave his parole for the men 
within his command. The following is the form of the 
personal parole of officers, copied from the original docu- 
ment given by Lee and a portion of his staff : 

"We, the undersigned, prisoners of war belonging to the 
Army of Northern Virginia, having been this day surrendered 
by General R. E. Lee, commanding said army, to Lieutenant- 



262 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

General Grant, commanding the Armies of the United States, 
do hereby give our solemn parole of honor that we will not 
hereafter serve in the armies of the Confederate States, or in 
any military capacity whatever, against the United States of 
America, or render aid to the enemies of the latter until pro- 
perly exchanged in such manner as shall be mutually approved 
by the respective authorities. 

" R. E. Lee, General. 

'' W. H. Taylor, Lieutenant- Colonel and A. A. G. 

"Chas. S. Venable, Lievienant- Colonel and A. A. G. 

" Chas, Marshall, Lieutenant- Colonel and A. A. G- 

" H. E. Praton, Lieutenant- Colo7iel and Ins.-GeneraL 

" Giles Booke, Major and A. A. Surgeon-General. 

"H. S. Young, A. A. General. 

" Done at Appomattox Court House, Va., this ninth {9th) day 
of April, 1865." 

The parole is the same given by all officers, and is 
countersigned as follows : 

" The above-named officers will not be disturbed by United 
States authorities as long as they observe their parole, and the 
laws in force where they may reside. 

" GEORCrK H. Sharp, General Assist. Provost-Marshal." 

The obligation of officers for the subdivisions under 
their command is in form as follows: 

" I, the undersigned, commanding officer of , do, for the 

witliin-named prisoners of war, belonging to the Army of North- 
ern Virginia, who have been this day surrendered by General 
Robert E. Lke, Confederate States Army, commanding said 
army, to Lieutenant-General Grant, commanding Armies of the 
United States, hereby give my solemn parole of honor that the 
within-named shall not hereafter serve in the Armies of the 
Confederate States, or in military or any capacity whatever 
against the United States of America, or render aid to the ene- 
mies of the latter, until properly exchanged in such manner as 
shall be mutually approved by the respective authorities. 

''Done at Appomattox Court House, Va., this ninth day of 
April, 1865. 

" The within-named will not be disturbed by the United 
States authorities so long as they observe their parole and the 
laws in force where they may reside." 

The surrender of Lee was followed by the voluntary- 
surrender of most of the regular troops of the enemy in 
the Shenandoah. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 263 

GENERAL GHANT'S MOVEMENTS AFTER THE 
SURRENDER. 

General Grant never makes an unnecessary delay. 
The terms of the surrender having been arranged, he im- 
mediately left the army for Washington, without turning 
aside to visit the fallen Capital or pausing longer by the 
way than was requisite for refreshment. On the 13th of 
April, 1865, he reached Washington, established his head- 
quarters, and went direct to the War Department, where 
he met the President and Secretary Stanton. He repre- 
sented to them that the Rebellion was virtually at an end, 
and that the Government should at once commence cut- 
ting down its expenses. That evening the Secretary 
telegraphed the following important despatch northward, 
the first despatch that bore to the nation the welcome 
news, that peace was at hand. 

STOPPING THE DRAFT. 

" War Department, > 
"Washington, April Uth,—& P. M. j 

•To Major-General Dix, New York:— 

" The Department, after mature consideration and consulta- 
tion with the Lieutenant-General upon the results- of the recent 
campaign, has come to the following determinations, which 
will be carried into effect by appropriate orders to be imme- 
diately issued. . . . , , , 

" First.— To stop all drafting and recruitmg m the loyal 

States. . . 

"/Second.— To curtail purchases for arms, ammunition, quar- 
termaster and commissary supplies, and reduce the mihtary 
establishment in its several branches. 

" Third. To reduce the number of general and staff officers 

to the actual necessities of the service. 

'' Fourth.— To remove all military restrictions upon trade 
and commerce, so far as may be consistent with public safety. 

" As soon as these measures can be put in operation it will 
be made known by public order. 

"Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War." 

General Geant remained at Washington, aiding the 



264: LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

Government with his counsels, and using every effort to 
reduce the expenses of the military departments. 

GENERAL GRANT GOES NORTH TO VISIT 
HIS FAMILY. 

It was announced in the Washington morning papers of 
April 14th, that General Grant would accompany Presi- 
dent Lincoln to Ford's Theatre in the evening, but the 
General had made arrangements to run north and visit his 
family, that day, so that he was not present when Mr. 
Lincoln was assassinated. The evidence adduced at the 
trial of Payne and his associate conspirators clearly 
proved that it was their design to murder General Grant 
during the evening. The dagger which Booth flourished 
was undoubtedly intended for Grant. Providence did 
not permit the crime, and although the nation's beloved 
President was martyred. Grant was spared to his 
country. On learning of the assassination of President 
Lincoln, he at once returned to Washington, and was 
present at the funeral of his noble friend, and formed one 
of the mourners who followed the remains to the Capitol 
on the 19th of April, 1865. 

GRANT LEAVES WASHINGTON FOR RALEIGH, 
NORTH CAROLINA. 

Shortly after, the terms which Sherman granted to 
Johnston were received. The President, Cabinet, and the 
Lieutenant-General repudiated the arrangement promptly, 
and Grant left Washington the same day for Sherman's 
array, arriving at Raleigh, North Carolina, on the 24th 
of April. He apprised Sherman of the fact that his 
agreement with Johnston was disapproved of, not only 
by the National authorities, but by himself, and Sherman 
at once notified Johnston of the non-acceptance by the 
Government of the old terms, and, later, demanded his 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 265 

surrender on the terms accorded to Lee. On the 25th, 
Johnston replied, and, on the 26th, the surrender was 
made in an interview between Sherman and Johnston at 
Durham Station. 

General Grant telegraphed the news to the War Depart- 
ment from Raleigh, on April 26th, as follows : " Johnston 
surrendered the forces in his command, embracing all 
from here to Chattahoochee, to General Sherman, on 
the basis agreed upon between Lee and myself for the 
Army of Northern Virginia." 

Next to Lee's army, Johnston's was the most powerful 
force the Rebellion had in the field, and with its fall, fell 
the last slender hope which Davis yet entertained of 
making headway against the Armies of the Union. 

GENERAL GRANT RETURNS TO WASHING- 
TON, FROM RALEIGH. 

In a few days afterward. General Grant was again at 
his headquarters in Washington, and, on the 28th of April, 
the following order was issued by the War Department, 
and at the same time the several corps, composing the 
Army of the Potomac, were ordered to march via Rich- 
mond to Washington, where they were to be reviewed, 
before their final disbandment : 

IMPORTANT ORDER OP THE WAR DEPART- 
MENT, REDUCING THE EXPENSES OP THE 
MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT. 

" War Department, Adjutant General's Office, ) 
" Washington, April 28tK 1865. j 

" General Order No. 77, 

" For reducing the expenses of the Military Department. 

" Ordered, First — That the chiefs of the respective bureaus 
of this department proceed immediately to reduce the expenses 
of their respective departments to what is absolutely necessary, 
in view of an immediate reduction of the forces in the field and 
garrisons, and the speedy termination of hostilities, and that 



266 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

they severally make out statements of the reductions they deem 
practicable. 

"Second — That the Quartermaster-General discharge all ocean 
transports not required to bring home troops in remote depart- 
ments. All river and inland transportation will be discharged 
except that required for the necessary supplies of troops in the 
fix?ld. Purchases of horses, mules, wagons, and other land trans- 
portation will be stopped ; also purchases of forage, except 
what is required for immediate consumption. All purchases 
for railroad construction and transportation will also be stopped. 

'•Third— That the Commissary General of Subsistence stop 
the purchase of supplies in his department for such as may, 
with what is on hand, be required for the forces in the field to 
the 1st of June next. 

''Fourth— That the Chief of Ordnance stop all purchase of 
arms, ammunition and material therefor, and reduce the manu- 
facturing of arms and ordnance stores in government arsenals 
as rapidly as can be done without injury to the service. 

''Fifth— Thixt the Chief of Engineers stop work on all field 
fortifications and other works, except those for which specific 
appropriations have been made by Congress for completion, or 
that may be required for the proper protection of works in 
progress. 

"Sixth — That all soldiers in hospitals who require no further 
medical treatment, be honorably discharged from service, with 
immediate payment. All officers and enlisted men who have 
been prisoners of war and are now on furlough or at parole 
camps, and all recruits in rendezvous, except those for the reg- 
ular army, will be likewise honorably discharged. Officers whose 
duty it is under the regulations of the service to make out rolls 
and other final papers connected with the final discharge and 
payment of soldiers, are directed to make payment without 
delay, so that the order may be carried into effect immediately. 

"Seventh — The Adjutant-General of the army will cause im- 
mediate returns to be made by all commanders in the field, 
garrisons, detachments and forts, of their respective forces, 
with a view to their imimediate reduction. 

"Eighth — The Quartermasters of Subsistence, Ordnance, 
Engineers, and Provost Marshal General's Departments, will 
reduce the number of clerks and employees to that absolutely 
required for closing the business of their respective Depart- 
ments, and will, without delay, report to the Secretary of War 
the number required of each class or grade. The Surgeon- 
General will make a similar reduction of surgeons, nurses, and 
attendants in his bureau. 

"Ninth — The chiefs of the respective bureaus will immediately 
cause proper returns to be made out of public property in their 
charge, and a statement of property in each that may be sold 
upon advertisement and public sale, without prejudice to the 
service. 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 267 

'^ Tenth — That the Commissary of prisoners will have rolls 
made out, of the name, residence, time and place of capture, 
and occupation of all prisoners of war who will take the oath of 
allegiance to the United States, to the end that such as are 
disposed to become good and loyal citizens of the United 
States, and who are proper objects of Executive clemency, may 
be relieved upon terms that the President shall deem fit and 
consistent with the public safety. 

"^2/ order of the Secretary of War. 

" W. A. Nichols, A. A. G. 

" Officml—'Tnos. M. Vincent, A. A. G." 

THE REBEL FORCES IN ALABAMA, MISSIS- 
SIPPI, AND EAST LOUISIANA, SURRENDER 
TO GENERAL CANBY. 

On the 4th of May, 1865, General Richard Taylor, 
commanding the rebel forces in Alabama, Mississippi, and 
East Louisiana, surrendered to Major- General Canby, 
and this closed up our account with the rebels east of the 
Mississippi river. 

GENERAL SHERIDAN GOES TO NEW OR- 
LEANS.— SURRENDER OP KIRBY SMITH. 

Beyond the Mississippi, Kirby Smith exhibited a deter- 
mination to hold out and prolong the war. General Grant 
resolved to use efficient measures to bring him also to 
terms, and a powerful expedition was fitted out at 
Fortress Monroe, and Major-General Philip Sheridan 
was assigned to its command. The General proceeded 
forthwith by way of the Mississippi river to New 
Orleans, but before reaching that point, Smith had heard 
of the surrender of Lee, Johnston, and Taylor, and he 
too accepted the terms granted to Lee, and surrendered 
the forces under his command. 

CLOSE OP THE WAR. 

There was no longer a doubt but that the fierce and 
bloody war which for four years had desolated the south- 
ern land, and filled almost every household throughout 
the entire country with mourning, had terminated. It 



268 LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 

terminated with honor to the Union. Our free institutions 
were permanently established. Slavery, the curse, had 
gone down, crushed forever, by the madness of the very men 
who were its supporters and who commenced the war for 
the avowed purpose of perpetuating human bondage on the 
American continent. A thousand sanguinary battles 
attested the valor and patriotism of the Northern and 
Western States, and though defeats were frequently 
experienced, they served only to make stronger the 
brave arms which were ultimately to win enduring 
renown and restore peace and harmony to the nation. 

PRESENTATION TO GENERAL GRANT OF A 
MANSION IN PHILADELPHIA. 

General Grant's modesty is proverbial, and since the 
conclusion of the war he has declined all invitations to 
speak at receptions, reviews, or serenades. 

A number of public spirited gentlemen of Philadelphia 
purchased a magnificent mansion on West Chestnut street, 
in that city, and presented it to the General on May 3d, 1865. 
The house was elegantly furnished from cellar to attic, 
and the larders were amply stocked with the best of every- 
thing, the whole costing over fifty thousand dollars. The 
presentation was made quietly and without ostentation, 
the General and lady and family being present. In a 
few words he expressed to the Committee his gratitude 
for their princely gift, his manner proving more conclu- 
sively than his utterance, that his heart fully appreciated 
the handsome and substantial compliment which his 
friends and admirers conferred upon him. 

CHARACTER AND ABILITIES OF LIEUTEN- 
ANT GENERAL GRANT. 

No one labored more assiduously to break the power of 
the Rebellion than General Grant. He entered the ser- 
vice to lend his abilities and his personal efforts to this 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 269 

one great end. How well he performed his duty the Re- 
public and the world knows. With a pure heart, a steady 
nerve, an abiding faith in the justness of the cause and a 
resolution which nothing could shake, he moved forward 
in the discharge of his duties. Step by step, he rose to the 
exalted and responsible position of Lieutenant-General. To 
him were confided the destinies of our armies and the wel- 
fare of the country. He was equal to the task, and to-day 
he occupies a prominence in history, second to no military 
chieftain who ever lived. His public and private charac- 
ter is spotless, and his sole ambition is to serve his coun- 
try, and further the holy cause of American liberty. 

Envy, which often assails the best, leaves him alone, 
and no one dares question his patriotism or bravery, his 
skill, his modesty, his disinterestedness, his firmness or 
his success. To him is universally attributed the final 
triumph of our arms, the result of strategy the most 
skilful, combinations the largest and most overwhelming, 
and courage, persistent, self-reliant and dauntless. He 
has never been obliged to explain away any mistakes, or 
to remove any misapprehensions ; to account for any 
disasters, to make any apologies, or appeal to his country- 
men for a reversal of their opinions. .^^His profound, his 
almost infallible judgment, has lifted him above the errors 
of popular generals, who are too apt to be thinking of the 
public when their business is only with the enemy.^^ Thus 
we find him on his own pedestal, in the full proportions 
of a wise, great and successful man. Not the least of his 
merits is his unpretending demeanor. At no moment, on 
no occasion, has he ever betrayed any personal vanity, or 
any exhilaration in successes which would have turned 
the heads of most commanders. Not a word from his 
lips, not a line from his pen, has ever been out of time, 
out of place, or out of character. /- However others may 
have erred in this way, he never has. Whether as a sub- 
It 



270 -LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GEJTERAL GRANT. 

ordinate and in the conduct of isolated campaigns, or at 
the head of the whole army, and directing its entire 
movements — reticent, modest, thoughtful, discreet ; the 
wise man who says little and does much ; of " imagination 
all compact," he has pursued an unbroken career of 
triumph, without having had to repair a singe error.^ Not 
only may we therefore place him as the foremost among 
our military men — and this itself is praise in the extreme — 
but we may also claim for him an equal, perhaps the 
highest place among all the generals of modern times. 
If we consider the vastness of the fields on which this war 
has been waged, the immense numbers of men engaged in' 
it, the enormous amount of materiel employed, and the 
loss of life incurred, we are led irresistibly to the conclu- 
sion that even the most celebrated European wars have, 
comparatively, been but forays and skirmishes. 

Thus we may, with perfect propriety, assert that the 
tactics of General Grant have been often as grand as those 
of the first Napoleon, his marches as bold, his combinations 
as subtle and original, his battles as fierce and as decisive, 
and his conquest of territory as vast and as frequent. In 
the capture of posts deemed impregnable, and of prisoners, 
artillery and munitions of war in numbers unprecedented, 
the comparison is really to the advantage of our modest 
hero. To go further back, he reminds us of some of the 
most famous of the more historic commanders in many 
remarkable particulars. Like Prince Eugene in the Tyrol, 
he could make his way through the most diflScult and 
well defended passes of the Tennessee, and, like him, 
drive his foe before him from field to field ; or like the 
famous Lord Peterboro, whose sententious remarks won 
him as much applause as his battles, he has successfully 
overrun and occupied, as did the English general in the 
Spanish war. State after State, in spite of all opposition, 
and at the same time enabled a co-operating force at 



LIFE OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 271 

a distance to make splendid and triumphant marches, and 
win the greatest triumphs with the least loss of life. 
Like Marlboro, in set battle, Grant has beeii equally 
successful, after as hotly contested fields as Blenheim 
or Ramillies ; and like Wellington, in his last triumphant 
march upon his enemy's capitol, after more deadly combats 
and with greater resistances, he has closed up a war by 
its capture, and that of the chief who had thence directed 
and continued the struggle. So that we may fairly claim 
for General Grant, that he has been proved to combine 
in himself the highest qualities of all these commanders, 
without the faults of any of them. And as the work he 
has accomplished exceeds in magnitude and consequences 
any they ever were engaged in, we may place him on the 
highest pedestal in the same temple of fame. These 
/^ European contests were, one and all, contests for dynas- 
ties or personal objects ; while the campaigus of Grant 
have been for liberty, and in fact for mankind. He has 
been indeed the man of the times ; born for them, and 
equal to them. It is no common foe he has conquered, 
no ordinary war he has finished, no trifling cause he has 
maintained. His genius, discovered in time by the late 
President, and left unfettered to exert itself, proved by its 
" short, sharp and decisive" strokes, that it was of the 
most brilliant order, equal to the most superb combina- 
tions, and sure to be followed by the most complete 
success. We are almost too near and too mixed up with 
these great events, to give them their true outlines, or 
understand their great proportions. The Europeans, at a 
greater distance, are beginning to know them, as in the 
great political perspective they see the effect upon them- 
selves. And when, by and by, some other Marshall or 
Motley shall arise to draw the character and portray the 
conduct of a hero, he will set his canvas for the portrait 
of Lieutenant-General Grant. 

The End. 



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ainswoetSi 



I ■■) 

7o 

50 

bi) 

50 

7o 

76 

25 

25 

50 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

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'S 



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60 
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25 

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25 

25 
25 
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25 
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25 



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... 25 
... 25 



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Old Put; or, the Days of 70,... 25 Life of Joseph T. Hare,. 

The King's Cruisers, 25 Kit Clayton 

rrv,„ ■pi„;°.r, VonkPfi 2b Alexander Tardy, 



25 
25 



25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 

25 

25 
25 



25 



Alexander Tardy, 
The Seven Brothers of Wyo 
niing. 

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Ninon De L'Enclos' Life and 

Adventures, 25 

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Charles Ransford ; or, Love on 

Board of a Cruiser, 25 

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Haymaker, 25 

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Rody the Rover's Adventures,. 
Sixteen-Stringed Jack's Fight 

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i l^'i-^t L-n-e 

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1 The Pirate's Son, 23 



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Highwayman, 

Dick Parker, 

Jack Ketch, 

Mother Brownrigg, 

Galloping Dick, 

Mary Bateman, 

Raoul de Surville, 2o 

The Robber's Wife, 2a 

Obi; or, Three-Fingered Jack, 2-J 
Desperadoes of the New World, 2o 

Life of Harry Thomas 2o 

]\Irs. Whipple & Jesse Strang's 

Adventures, ^^ 

Jonathan AVild's Adventures,.. 2c 

LIEBIG'S WOPJ-IS GIT CHEMISTRY. 

Price $2.00. 



25 



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LECTURES AND OTHER BOOKS. 



Odd Fellowship Exposed, 1."^ 

Mormonism Exposed, 13 

The Duties of Woman, by Lu- 

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The Sleeping Sentinel 13 

Life of Rev. John Maffit, 13 

Euchre and its Laws, 13 

Throne of Iniquity, 13 



Dr. Berg on Jesuits, 13 

Dr. Berg's Answer to Arch- 
bishop Hughes, ; 13 

Sons of Malta Exposed, 13 

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Train on Slavery, 10 



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Chief, 50 

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Red King; or, tho Corsair 
Chieftain, 

The Flying Dutchman, 

Ralph Runnion; or, the Out- 
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Life of Jack Rann, alias Six- 
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The American Joe Miller, 

Diary of a Pawnbroker, 

Red Wing, 

The Female Bluebeard, 

The Monk, 

The Corsair, 

Woman's Love, 



25 
25 

50 

25 

50 
50 
25 
25 
25 
50 
25 



"JACK SHEPPARD 

Life and Adventures of Jack 

Sheppard, 50 

Life and Adventures of Guy 

Fawkes, 75 

Life and Adventures of Davy 

Crockett, 50 

Life and Adventures of Grace 

O'Malley, 50 

Pictorial Old St. Paul's, 75 

The Star Chamber, 75 

The Mysteries of the Court of 

Queen Anne, 50 

Tho Mysteries of the Court of 

the Stuarts 75 

Windsor Castle, 75 

Life and Adventures of Paul 

Periwinkle, 50 



SERIES. 

Life and Adventures of Jack 

Adams, 75 

Life and Adventures of Ben 

Brace, 50 

Life and Adventures of Jack 

Ariel, 50 

Life and Adventures of Tom 

Bowling, 75 

Cruising in the Last War, 50 

Life of Percy Effingham, 75 

The Petrel, 50 

Percival Keene 50 

The Sea King,.. 50 

Peter Simple, 50 

Poor .Jack, 50 

Mysteries of Three Cities, 75 



J5^-OET UP YOUK €r.UBS FOK 1865 1 

NEW AND SPLENDID PREMIUMS! 

Notwitlistanding the enorniou.sly increased cost of Paper, and the consequent rise in 

I the price of other Magazines '"Peterson's" will still be furnished to Single Subscribers at 

Two Dollars A Yeah, Cash in Advance. Arrangements have been made, by which, in 

1S65, it will be better than ever. No Magazine of similar merit will approach it in cheap- 

I ness, hence it will be emphatically, 

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE TIMES! 

I The stories in "Peterson" are conceded to be the best pvhlished anywhere. Mrs. Ann 

S. Stephens, Ella Rodman, Mrs. Denison, Frank Lee Benedict, the author of "Susy L's 
Diary," T. S. Arthur, E. L. Chandler Moulton, Leslie Walter, Virginia F. Townsend, 
Rosalie Grey, Clara Augusta, and the author of " The Second Life," besides all the most 
popular female writers of America, are regular contributors. In addition to the usual 
number of shorter stories, there will be given in 1805, Pour Original Copy- 
righted Noveletes. 

In its Illustrations also, "Peterson" is unrivalled. The Publisher challenges a com- 
parison between its SUPERB MEZZOTINTS AND OTHER STEEL ENGRAVINGS and 
those in other Magazines, and one at least is given in every number. 

COLORED FASHIOfil PLATES tU ADVANCE* 

It Is the ONLY MAGAZINE whose Fashion Plates can be relied on. 

Each number contains a Fashion Plate, engraved on steel, and colored — from Fashions 
later than any other Magazine gives; also a dozen or more New Styles, engraved on 
wood; also, a Pattern, from which a Dress, Mantilla, or Child's Costume can be cut, 
without the aid of a mantua-maker — so that each number, in this way, will SAVE A 
YtAK'S SUBSCRIPTION. The Paris, London, Philadelphia and New York foshions 
are described, at length, each month. Patterns of Caps, Bonnets, Head Dresses, &c. given, 

COLORED PATTERNS IN EMBROIDERY, CROCHET, &c. The Work-Table de- 
partment of this Magazine IS WHOLLY UNRIVALLED. Everynumber containsa dozen 
or more patterns in every variety of Fancy-work : Crochet, Embroidery, Knitting, Bead- 
work, Shell-work, Hair-work, &c., &c., &c. Every month, a SUPERB COLORED PAT- 
TERN FOR SLIPPER, PURSE or CHAIR SEAT, &c., is given— each of which, at a 
retail store, would cost Fifty cents. No other Magazine gives these Colored Patterns. 

.^]S^ ElVXinELTT NEW COOKZ-BOOIi. 

The original Household receipts of " Peterson" are quite famous. For 1865, receipts 
for every kind of dish will be given. EVERY ONE OF THESE RECEIPTS HAS BEtN 
TESTED. The whole, at the end of the year, will make a COOK-BOOK in itself. 
This alone will be worth the price of "Peterson." Other receipts for the Toilette, Sick 
room, &c., Ac, will be given. NEW AND FASHIONABLE MUSIC will appear in every 
number. Also, Hints on all matters interesting to Ladies. 

TERMS— ALWAYS IN ADVANCE, 

To single subscribers, the price of "Peterson" will remain as we have said, TWO DOL- 
LARS A YEAR. But in order that friends and neighbors may save money, by clubbing 
together, the folloM-ing tempting terms are offered, viz: 

Two Copies for one year, - - - $3.00 I Eight Copies for one year, - - - $1.2.00 
Four Co]jies for one year, - - - $6.00 j Fourteen Copies for one year, - - $2u.0tJ 

PREMIUMS FOR CLUBS OF EIGHT OR FOURTEEN.— To any person getting 
up a club of Eight and remitting Twelve Dollars — or a club of Fourteen and remitting 
Twenty Dollars, we will send, as a Premium, our new copy-riglit steel-engraving, for 
framing— size 1:7 inches by 'A)— "WASHINGTON PARTING FROM HIS GENERALS," 
after a drawing by F. 0. Darley. This is the most superb Premium ever offered. Or, 
if preferred, we will send for the Premium, a LADY'S ALBUM, illustrated, and hand- 
somely bound and gilt. Or if preferred to either of these, we will send, as a Premium, 
an extra copy of the Magazine for lSn5. For clubs of two or four, no premiums are given, 
Ahvays say, in remitting for a club of eight, or a club of fourteen, which of the Pre- 
miums is preferred. 

Address, postpaid, CHARLES J. PETERSON", 

No. 306 Chestnut St., Phila. 
Jg^ All Postmasters constituted Agents ; but any person may get up a club. Speci- 
mens sent gratuitously if written for. 



LIVES OF PRESIDENTS AND GENERALS. 



♦ 1 1 i< i » • ♦ » 



ILLUSTRATED LIFE, SERVICES, MARTYRDOM, AND FUNE- 
RAL OP ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Sixteeuth ricsideiu of the United States. 
With a full history of his Life; AssH.s^^iuation ; Death, aud Funeral. His career as a 
Lawyer aud Politician ; his services in Conj<ress ; with his Speeches, Proclaiuations, 
Acts, and services as President of the United States, aud Commander-in-Chief of the 
Array and Navy, from the time of his first Inauguration as President of the United 
States until the uight of his assassination. Only new aud complete edition, with a full 
history of the assassiuation of the President, hy distinguished eye-witnesses of it. Mr, 
Lincoln's Death-bed scenes, aud a full account of the Funeral Ceremonies from the time 
his remains were placed in the East Koom at the White House, uutil they were finally 
consigned to their last resting place, iu Oak Ridge Cemetery, at Springfield, Illinois, 
with Addresses aud Sermons by the Hon. Schuyler Colfax ; Hon. George Bancroft ; 
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher ; General Walbridge; Bishop Simpson, etc., with a full 
account of the escape, pursuit, apprehension, and death of the assassin, Booth. With a 
Portrait of President Lincoln, aud other Illustrative Engravings of the scene of the 
murder, etc. Price Seventy-five cents in paper, or One Dollar in cloth. Agents sup- 
plied with the paper cover edition at Five Dollars a dozen, fifty copies for Twenty Dol- 
lars or $37.50 a hundred ; or with the cloth edition at Eight Dollars a dozen, fifty 
copies for Thirty Dollars, or Sixty Dollars a hundred. 

THE LIFE, SPEECHES, AND SlJRVIGES OF ANDREW JOHN- 
SON, Seveuteeuth President of the United States. With a full History of his Life; 
his career as a Tailor Boy, Alderman, JIayor, Legislator, State Senator, Governor of Ten- 
nessee, and his services 'in Cougiess, with his Speeches on the Rebellion, aud the part 
taken by him from the first outbreak of the War, with his Speeches, Proclamations, 
Acts and services since becomiug President of the United States. With his Portrait. 
Complete in one large volume. Price 75 cents in paper, or One Dollar in cloth. Ageuts 
supplied with the paper cover edition at Five Dollars a dozen, fifty copies for $20.00, or 
$M.oQ a hundred; or with the cloth edition at Eight Dollars a dozen, fifty copies for 
Thirty Dollars, or Sixty Dollars a hundred. 

ILLUSTRATED LIFE, CAMPAIGNS, AND SERVICES OF LIEU- 
TENANT-GENERAL GRANT; The hero of "Fort Donelsou," "Vicks- 
burg," " Chattauooga," "Petersburg," and "Richmond," also Captor of "General 
Lee's" and "General Johnston's" entire armies. With a full History of his Life, Cam- 
paigns and Battles, aud his Orders, Reports, and Correspondence with the War Depart- 
ment and the President in relation to them, from the time he first took the field in this 
war until the present time. Complete in one large volume. With a portrait of General 
Grant, and other Illustrative engravings of the Battles of Fort Donelsou; General Lee's 
surrender to General Grant ; the Union army entering Richmond, etc. Price 75 cents 
iu paper, or One Dollar in cloth. Acents supplied with the paper cover edition at Five 
Dollars a dozen, or fifty copies for $20.00 ; or $37. ,50 a hundred ; or with the cloth edi- 
tion at Eight Dollars a dozen, fifty copies for Thirty Dollars, or Sixty Dollars a hundred. 

THE LIFSi. CAMPAIGNS, REPORTS, BATTLES, AND PUBLIC 
SERVICES OP MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, 

the HERO OF WESTERN VIRGINIA ! SOQTH MOUNTAIN! and ANTIETAM.' With his 
Portrait. In one large volume of 200 pages. Price fifty cents in paper, or .seventy-five 
ceuts iu cloth. Agents supplied with the Fifty cent edition at $3.50 a dozen, or $25.00 a 
hundred ; or with the cloth edition at Six Dollars a dozen, or Forty-five Dollars a hundred 

THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES OF MAJOR-GENERAL 

BENJAMIN P. BUTLER, the Hero of " New Orleans." With his Portrait. 
Price 25 cents. Agents supplied at $1.50 a dozen, or Ten Dollars a hundred. 

THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE G. 

MEADE, the Hero of " Gettysburg,'" and Commander of the Army of the Potomac. 
Wiih his Portrait. Price 25 ceuts. Agents supplied at $1.50 a dozen, or $10 00 a hundred. 

THE LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP HUGHES, first Archbishop of New York; 

with a full account of his Life, Death, and Burial. With his Portrait. Price 25 cents. 

Agents supplied at $1.50 a dozen, or Ten Dollars a hundred. 

Published and for rale at the Cheapest Book House in the world to buy or send for a 
stock of any kinds of books you may wish, which is at 

A T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, 

(y No. 306 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 

To whom all orders and remittances must come addressed to meet with prompt attentioa. 
Copies of above books will be sent per mail, free of postage, on receipt of retail price, _j 



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